The Buffalo Sabres are enjoying the last bit of summer before heading back to business at training camp. With two big departures and nothing massive enough to note in terms of new hires, this Opening Night roster has been just about done since the season ended.Â
Compared to last season, there is one forward who is entering the next stage of his career. Tage Thompson has a new list of expectations, and one of those two departures ensures that No. 72 is going to have to have a career year to silence doubters.Â
Let’s talk about what these new expectations are, and what is standing in his way to achieve them.Â
Loss of Alex TuchÂ
There was one overwhelming change coming not only for Thompson, but for the entire Sabres forward group. Alex Tuch was moved to Washington, and now this team is a 30-goal scorer behind for 2026-27.
Thompson loses his sidekick, who was playing at nearly the same kind of level as him on a nightly basis. With that gap on the wing for the first line, it could be No. 72 filling in that spot, with Josh Norris taking the 1C. That's a big enough change and challenge in itself.
50-goal expectation
With the loss of Tuch, there is a big gap in their offensive output now missing. Theoretically, the younger players like Zach Benson and Josh Doan should start to blossom in 2026-27 to make up a little bit of the ground. But let's also not ignore the elephant in the room.
Thompson has an expectation to be a 50-goal scorer. This has been something that he has flirted with a few times in his career, with a 47-goal effort in 2022-23 being his closest mark. He also has hit 40 goals or more in the last two seasons.
For next season, he has to really light up the scoreboard and hit that plateau. If this team wants to remain competitive, although not going all-in on winning now, Thompson has to hit the half-century mark.
Leadership role?
Another big challenge standing in Thompson's way is the need for an additional voice in the locker room and a leader on the ice. Tuch's absence indicates that "Tommy Dangles" has to step up to the plate for the younger crowd.
Thompson has been the Sabres' assistant captain for the past two seasons but has also had Alex Tuch next to him as the veteran voice. That responsibility now falls on Thompson to be the veteran as the Sabres potentially add another player as assistant captain to replace Tuch.
The Sabres are entering an uncertain season after their surprise playoff run. It is not a guarantee that they will be able to make it back in, with a few big losses and not enough done to really replace them. The hopes and prayers of the youth rising to the occasion, alongside captain Rasmus Dahlin continuing to evolve into an elite defenseman, are the game plan for next season.
Thompson also has to rise to the occasion himself, with a glaring hole in the offensive unit. He has to be a leader for his potential linemates, who are still getting acquainted to the NHL pace.
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