There are mixed opinions about whether Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson, a dynamic offensive talent with some obvious defensive shortcomings, deserves a spot on the Team USA roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman made his opinion about the situation clear on Tuesday's 32 Thoughts Podcast when Thompson's name was brought up.
"Yeah, he has to be there. Has to be," the NHL insider said.
Michael Russo of The Athletic, who joined Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas for a discussion about the United States' impending lineup decisions, described the Sabres' 6-foot-6 cornerstone as a "shoo-in" despite the ongoing debate.
"I think that he's absolutely on the team as well," Russo said.
Thompson has recorded 34 points (18 goals and 16 assists) in 38 games for the red-hot Sabres, who've won nine straight games to climb the Eastern Conference standings. They're currently tied with the Florida Panthers for the final wild-card spot in the East.
USA Hockey will announce the highly anticipated men's roster Friday on NBC's Today morning show. The Olympic tournament takes place beginning Feb. 11, and the U.S. plays its first game Feb. 12 when it takes on Latvia in Milan.
Tage Thompson deserves a Team USA roster spot after memorable World Championship heroics
Thompson could have declined the United States' invitation to take part in the 2025 IIHF World Championship in May. The tournament takes place after a long NHL season, and he could have signaled his frustration about being left off the 4 Nations squad.
Instead, the 28-year-old Arizona native was one of the Americans' best players in the tournament. He tallied nine points (six goals and three assists) in 10 games, and he netted the Gold Medal-winning goal in overtime of the championship game against Switzerland.
Russo explained on the 32 Thoughts Podcast that Thompson's performance in the event proved a lot to U.S. National Team general manager Bill Guerin.
"He goes to the World Championship. He showed in that 1-0 win in the Gold Medal Game that he can check, which is a big Bill Guerin must," Russo said. "And then he scores the winning goal to deliver them that first championship in 90-some-odd years."
Thompson's Olympic dream felt like it was slipping away early in the season as a lackluster start individually combined with the Sabres team-wide struggles created some bad optics.
The 2016 first-round pick has taken his game to a different level over the past month, however, and it's no surprise Buffalo has benefitted from his strong play with a surge up the standings.
His weaknesses defensively suggest he'll be more of a middle-six role player than a top-line weapon for Team USA. He'll likely receive a lot of offensive zone starts and potentially some power-play time to showcase his rocket of a shot.
In addition, Thompson illustrated his ability to single-handedly create offense out of nothing on his winning tally against Switzerland, and those type of unique chance-creators carry a lot of value in a short tournament where goals are at a premium.
That alone should ensure him a spot on the plane to Italy in February.
Meanwhile, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin is set to represent Sweden in the Olympics. Other candidates to participate in the Winter Games from Buffalo's roster include forwards Alex Tuch and Josh Doan for the U.S. as well as goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for Finland.
All of the rosters will be announced in the coming days as the Olympic countdown begins in earnest.