Tage Thompson had a year to remember in 2021-22 and the Buffalo Sabres rewarded him with a seven-year contract extension.
There were few better highlights in 2022 than when Tage Thompson scored the game-winning goal against for the Buffalo Sabes off a broken stick against the Chicago Blackhawks. It was a season where Thompson scored 38 goals and logged 30 assists, and it set the 6’7 center to become a pivotal part of the Sabres first line.
Now that the Sabres are paying Tage well, the burning question remains: Will he live up to his contract? Let’s explore what will happen in 2022-23.
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson poised for an encore
There hasn’t been so much hype surrounding the Buffalo Sabres in years. And while we won’t get bold and claim the Sabres make the playoffs (though it’s possible), it is easy to have faith that the team’s cornerstones, Thompson included, will enjoy fine, if not better outings than they brought in 2021-22.
In my bold predictions piece, I projected Thompson to score 1.1 points per game. I didn’t get incredibly bold here, but 1.1 per is an incredible increase for a guy who scored 68 points in 78 contests.
For a more realistic prediction, I will go with one point per game. So if he finds himself playing in 78 games this year, expect 78 points. 82 games? 82 points.
Tage, Alex Tuch, and Jeff Skinner built sound chemistry alarmingly fast last season. Tuch didn’t enter the lineup until December 29th, and less than a month later the three found their groove, even if the rest of the team didn’t find it until March 2022.
Now that the trio has one season playing together, which, in-turn, has thus far redeemed the seemingly ill-fated Jeff Skinner contract, expect a more productive season in 2022-23. Further, the Sabres have an inexperienced but productive defensive rotation capable of setting up scoring opportunities.
These factors will contribute to Thompson, barring injury, to enjoy a better outing for the upcoming season. There is concern Thompson may not live to his contract, especially after enjoying just one good year. But with the team chemistry built last season coupled with a better coach, he is in much better position than what Skinner found himself in three years ago.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)