tsujimoto74
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- May 28, 2012
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Player Discussion Tage Thompson 1
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sabremike
Kemonito superfan
The thing that scares me is the thought that he is another Griffin Reinhart type and just doesn't have the talent to ever be an NHL player. There haven't been very many players I've ever seen who were as completely overmatched at this level as he has been.
ZZamboni
Puttin' on the Foil
IMO, Tim Kennedy would be just one that outranks him in the level of suckatude at the NHL level.
I’m not concerned at all about TT yet. Time will tell if he develops more.
He's as raw as they come. I think there's potential there, but it certainly won't be developed playing poorly in 20 or so games with the Sabres this season.
We're just piling on the kid at this point. He shouldn't be on the roster, and that's obvious to everyone except Botts. It's not his fault he hasn't been sent down.
truthbluth
Registered User
- Feb 2, 2011
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Grigorenko looked like that. He’s tearing up the KHL now and plays on team Russia’s second line. Time and teaching is what he needs.
It's really hard to understand why they aren't sending him to Roch. And yes, I read The Athletic article where they explain how they are trying to develop him behind the scenes in Buffalo. I'm sorry, it doesn't make sense to me. He needs to be battling hard and playing big minutes and held accountable in game situations -- in Rochester. To me, he's at least a year away from being NHL ready. Possibly more. Rochester has a great culture right now, and Taylor appears to be teaching them how to play the right way. He's missing out on a good situation down there.
Dreakon13
Registered User
Just because he isn't succeeding at the NHL level, doesn't immediately have to mean he needs to go to Rochester IMO. I still think Thompson's biggest problem is that he keeps falling back to overplaying the puck when he's under pressure. Who knows, the AHL may actually re-enforce those bad habits because said habits may work for him down there. If they have aspirations for him higher than AHL tweener, he may be at a point where he needs to learn the pace of the NHL... not the pace of the AHL.
I really don't understand the absolute sense of urgency posters here have. Even if you have zero faith in this management group, truly believe they are completely incompetent, and will destroy most anything they touch... they aren't going to ruin Thompson in the 25 games or so he'll probably spend rotating in and getting extra help behind the scenes. I mean, in all likelihood he's going down when Wilson gets back anyways.
It's an interesting point -- but I'm not sure it's actually true. The AHL is a pretty gritty league. I don't think the fancy dangles work that well down there either most of the time. It's not juniors. Lots of players have spent time in the A trying to simplify their game and learning how to compete. I'm not saying it's an emergency or that they are going to ruin him. I just don't get it.
He isn't able to jump into the pace at the NHL level and do anything except drag his line down at this point. There is nothing wrong with going down a level and learning how to do things the right way instead of constantly being bad at the highest level. For development that is built on repetition in game situations, having him bumming around Buffalo and getting minimal ToI remains an easily questionable decision. It rarely if ever has worked so put him in the position to do what traditionally has been best for player development - let the guy play at the level appropriate to his abilities so he can gain make the gains that are historically associated with that sort of assignment.
Dreakon13
Registered User
He's produced better in the AHL (not great, but better than in the NHL)... that's all I can extrapolate from his stat line. I'm guessing he probably played a similar way down there, since he doesn't seem the type to quickly and easily adapt. As such, I question if he'd be as willing to learn what he needs to learn in a league where things are working better for him.
Though he'll probably get sent down when Wilson gets back. And he'll probably be better off for it too. I don't disagree with that necessarily. But if there's something the Sabres coaching staff feels he can benefit from on the ice or off the ice up here in the meantime, I don't see what's so difficult to understand. There's plenty for him to learn at both levels (NHL and AHL). He has a ways to go still. Thankfully he's also still very young.
You're assuming no other injuries before Wilson is ready. That may or may not be the case.
Also, why is TT up over Nylander or CJ Smith, for example? For that matter, we don't even need to carry 2 extra forwards except maybe when we are going on a long road trip.
Dreakon13
Registered User
You're assuming I have any actual knowledge of when or why Botts is keeping him up or might send him down.
In my defense, I did say "probably" to Tage waiting on Wilson to get back. Nothing I say is set in stone.I'd guess Botts is pretty touch and go with player movement as both teams are doing well right now. It's not like we aren't one season displaced from DFL in the NHL and getting clowned out of the first round in the AHL. Maybe he doesn't want to mess with it until something forces his hand.
EDIT: I'm just giving some alternative thoughts besides the ol' standby reason around here of "everyone is stupid and should be fired" for why things happen that don't appear to follow the most logical path as dictated by the fans.
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Stated in the GDT that Thompson is likely still in Buffalo due to a log jam in Rochester. Maybe Botterill was hoping keeping him in Buffalo for a couple weeks, some practices, and meetings would help.
Housley has said multiple times (not only Tage) that he does not want to stifle creativity within the system. This leads me to believe that the coaches do not necessarily want tage to stop dangles and other creativity to simplify his game.
Similar to when Murray told Reinhart to take extra gym sessions to bulk up for the NHL after getting sent down to juniors, this could be a good learning opportunity for Thompson. TT should be told that it’s obvious that he has hands, a great shot, and size. Without stifling offensive creativity, he needs to be put in a place where he can focus on doing all the small things correctly.
Housley has said multiple times (not only Tage) that he does not want to stifle creativity within the system. This leads me to believe that the coaches do not necessarily want tage to stop dangles and other creativity to simplify his game.
Similar to when Murray told Reinhart to take extra gym sessions to bulk up for the NHL after getting sent down to juniors, this could be a good learning opportunity for Thompson. TT should be told that it’s obvious that he has hands, a great shot, and size. Without stifling offensive creativity, he needs to be put in a place where he can focus on doing all the small things correctly.
keithLGA
Registered User
The organization stresses internal competition. Would think that the chance for him to play in games in Rochester would push others even more with another piece to the puzzle. Instead he's losing out on that opportunity as well as the team chemistry that has been built in Rochester. Almost seems like they've dug in too deep now and think the best option is he'll find his way in Buffalo and stay there.
Doohickie
Ft Worth (from Bflo)
- Feb 16, 2013
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It occurs to me that the recent movement of Reinhart to the top line and Pommer down to the Sobotka line might be a prelude to some maintenance days for Pommer. Thompson could play in JP's place on a line getting protected minutes on the days Pommer takes off. I could see TT playing every third or fourth game, depending on opponents. For the remainder of November it's tough competition. He would probably get to play against Florida and Detroit. If you extrapolate that to the left, Pittsburgh would be on that rotation (every third game for the rest of November)... or possibly Philly? Or maybe you pick opponents based on overall team speed, with TT getting the faster ones?
Sabre the Win
Joke of a Franchise
- Jun 27, 2013
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So essentially Botterills procrastination has left Thompson in limbo. I think I nailed Botterills problem to a T and so many posts pretty much say that without actually saying it.
From late moves last season to change the roster, to holding off to the last minute with ROR and now to Thompson.. Botterill is a procrastinator and I worry because does that mean he second guesses himself too much?
Buffalo has muffed up this situation, bigly. If TT is sent to Rochester either after training camp/preseason or a couple weeks into the season where it wasn’t abundantly clear he was not ready for the NHL, this situation doesn’t become so toxic.
I legitimately feel bad for Tage. Similar to how I felt bad for Nathan Peterman. Everyone is piling on about how bad he is right now, and that’s not entirely fair to him. Management is at fault here too for helping create this story.
The notion that he (maybe) can’t go back to the AHL because it would reinforce bad habits is BS to me. When Murray sent Reinhart back to Juniors, Reinhart was very emotional, obviously. But Murray basically told him I don’t care about production, I need you to work on your NHL game. You need to hit the gym more, get tougher on your skates. We know you can produce at the junior level. Guess what? Sam went back to Jr, busted his ass, became bigger, stronger, a better skater and earned a roster spot the next season.
The message to Tage should be similar: you are big, a good skater, have a great shot, and have fantastic hands for a guy your size, but... you’re lacking the little things.
A team in this situation shouldn’t need necessarily tell Tage to /not/ try and stifle creativity, but rather direct that focus elsewhere for a time. Focus on getting tougher in the corners, making exit passes, etc and then start working that creativity back into the game.
TT is still up because Wilson is injured. Buffalo tried to work Tage into some games but it’s obvious He’s not ready. Not only is keeping him up stifling his development, but it’s also putting pressure on him since he’s playing so poorly. If Wilson is still a couple weeks away I’d rather send him down and rotate a few guys like a Nylander And Olofsson into the lineup for a couple game starts here and there. It’s pretty tough to call others up due to waivers but Tage has to be sent down or the pressure is going to continue to mount on him to improve ASAP.
I legitimately feel bad for Tage. Similar to how I felt bad for Nathan Peterman. Everyone is piling on about how bad he is right now, and that’s not entirely fair to him. Management is at fault here too for helping create this story.
The notion that he (maybe) can’t go back to the AHL because it would reinforce bad habits is BS to me. When Murray sent Reinhart back to Juniors, Reinhart was very emotional, obviously. But Murray basically told him I don’t care about production, I need you to work on your NHL game. You need to hit the gym more, get tougher on your skates. We know you can produce at the junior level. Guess what? Sam went back to Jr, busted his ass, became bigger, stronger, a better skater and earned a roster spot the next season.
The message to Tage should be similar: you are big, a good skater, have a great shot, and have fantastic hands for a guy your size, but... you’re lacking the little things.
A team in this situation shouldn’t need necessarily tell Tage to /not/ try and stifle creativity, but rather direct that focus elsewhere for a time. Focus on getting tougher in the corners, making exit passes, etc and then start working that creativity back into the game.
TT is still up because Wilson is injured. Buffalo tried to work Tage into some games but it’s obvious He’s not ready. Not only is keeping him up stifling his development, but it’s also putting pressure on him since he’s playing so poorly. If Wilson is still a couple weeks away I’d rather send him down and rotate a few guys like a Nylander And Olofsson into the lineup for a couple game starts here and there. It’s pretty tough to call others up due to waivers but Tage has to be sent down or the pressure is going to continue to mount on him to improve ASAP.
Buffaloed
webmaster
I wonder if he's seeing a sports psychologist? He looked fine in preseason and I bet he looks good in practice. But he's tighter than a rusted lug nut when he gets in a game that counts. He doesn't know what to do when he gets the puck. It's almost like he panics.
Regardless of who(Botts or Housley) is making the call to keep him in the lineup, it is downright embarrassing. Not only for the 13th/14th forward sitting in the press box, but also some of the Amerks who have got off to great starts.
This has to end.
This has to end.
Therapists do amazing work over the telephone or via Skype. Hell, the team could probably drive him down the Thruway every day to make it happen. It’s not like Rochester is far.
The faulty assumption also being that Tage is too good for the AHL in the first place and will be able to reinforce dangle bad habits or whatever. The kid didn’t dominate last year. Let’s see him do that first before assiming it’s true.
The defending of management is hilarious. Who knows if Thompson will be long term damaged by this fancy new strategy of development, it’s a risk by being different but I’m not against that per se.
But it definitely hurts this team, game in game out. Why does our management seem to care more about Thompson and a new way to develop one prospect at a time, than the entire NHL team building on a good start and giving themselves the best chance at playoffs.
Only the contrarians know the genius of Botts and Phil on this one.
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