I love the comment from him that getting cross checked a few seconds before that goal got him mad. He got everything behind that shot; I don’t think I’ve seen a harder shot from any other Sabre in recent times than that one.
Player Discussion Tage Thompson 1
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So you said "oh my fasterikasterikasterikasterikasterikasterik god what a god damn cannon " ?
Der Jaeger
Generational EBUG
It's amazing how this kid's game has transformed. We knew he had a cannon. It's the other aspects of play that impress me - abandoning the failing toe drag, finding a man and sticking with him defensively, breaking up plays on the backcheck, making the simple, effective pass, showing some anticipation on the forecheck. He's gone from lost puppy to fully engaged pro practically overnight.
I think it's premature to assume he's fully established himself as an NHL regular, but for now at least it's Sabres coaching staff 1 - me and most of HF Sabres 0.
Pass the crow.
I think it's premature to assume he's fully established himself as an NHL regular, but for now at least it's Sabres coaching staff 1 - me and most of HF Sabres 0.
Pass the crow.
Ace
Registered User
- Oct 29, 2015
- 26,368
- 33,167
The thing I’m probably most excited about is how he uses his reach and stick to force turnovers.
Whichever game it was early in the year where Housley put out the legit worst five guys I could think of to try and protect a one goal lead with the opponent goalie pulled...guys who were just never going to get the puck out of the zone, and didn’t...when I was thinking about how literally any five choices would have been better I included the beyond struggling Tage Thompson because he had a better chance of getting a stick on a puck and buying time. So I’m really happy to see he took my thought that I never shared with him to heart and now disrupts things constantly. I’ll take all credit.
Whichever game it was early in the year where Housley put out the legit worst five guys I could think of to try and protect a one goal lead with the opponent goalie pulled...guys who were just never going to get the puck out of the zone, and didn’t...when I was thinking about how literally any five choices would have been better I included the beyond struggling Tage Thompson because he had a better chance of getting a stick on a puck and buying time. So I’m really happy to see he took my thought that I never shared with him to heart and now disrupts things constantly. I’ll take all credit.
Gabrielor
Registered User
There were more than a few players (albeit some bad ones that aren't on the roster now) that struggled to learn Housley's system last season. Not necessarily because it's difficult, but just that's it's something new to learn. Housley scrapped it last October for some time. It's no surprise that a new and young player like TT also struggled for a while. I think the learning curve is also one reason why Rochester guys are staying there longer than some want. Anyway, good to see he's picked it up mentally, because his raw skills are going to really impress people.
joshjull
Registered User
Tage, Housley and Botts are making me eat a large pot of crow on his development (right now anyway). I thought it was incredibly stupid to keep him here and watch videos and work after practice with coaches without playing in games.
joshjull
Registered User
Doug Prishpreed
Registered User
I told everyone during his draft year, but no one listened -- the kid is an elite video-watcher.
Genny Screamer
Registered User
Tage is listed at 6'6" 205lbs. In training camp I think he mentioned he has like 7 or 8% body fat. He can put on 20-30 lbs of muscle with proper nutrition and training. Can you imagine how hard his shot will be once he fills out?
Der Jaeger
Generational EBUG
But not generational......... that honor belongs only for Victor Antipin.
zuikan
Registered User
- Mar 26, 2018
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Eventually, after the rookies get more settled, I’d like to see pp1 as:
——————Rino
Thompson ————-Eichel
Mitts————————Dahlin
I know that takes away Eichel’s sweet spot but he will draw attention from anywhere, (and besides teams are defending against him from getting that shot over there above all else lately). My way you have Eichel bring the puck into the zone on the side he prefers (without worrying about finding his way over to left side) and if nothing is there it goes back to Dahlin over to Thompson and a cannon shot at the net, with Rino and Eichel picking up any loose change.
Mitts and Dahlin are both great skaters, generally accurate passers and plenty creative enough to sneak in down the middle if the D collapses too much or is overly aggressive.
——————Rino
Thompson ————-Eichel
Mitts————————Dahlin
I know that takes away Eichel’s sweet spot but he will draw attention from anywhere, (and besides teams are defending against him from getting that shot over there above all else lately). My way you have Eichel bring the puck into the zone on the side he prefers (without worrying about finding his way over to left side) and if nothing is there it goes back to Dahlin over to Thompson and a cannon shot at the net, with Rino and Eichel picking up any loose change.
Mitts and Dahlin are both great skaters, generally accurate passers and plenty creative enough to sneak in down the middle if the D collapses too much or is overly aggressive.
Tage has a lot of tools, size, wheels, cannon and moves. It's just the confidence he was lacking, being from the directionless St. Louis club. Now he has a lot of young studs to play with and one or two players who can put the perfect one timer pass right in the wheelhouse consistently. I am impressed; I don't think I've ever seen a big Sabres forward shoot as hard as Tage does. Get Thompson a centerman he gels with and we might have a young John LeClair in the making here.
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Yatzhee
Registered User
- Aug 5, 2010
- 8,916
- 2,415
Kid has size and skill. Lacks in the speed dept.
Should be a complimentary winger for lines 2 or 3, depending on how his finishing/sniping skills develop and his chemistry with a Center. But as of now, he's looking on the right track, just have to find a line mate or mates that can maximize his abilities through chemistry on a line.
Should be a complimentary winger for lines 2 or 3, depending on how his finishing/sniping skills develop and his chemistry with a Center. But as of now, he's looking on the right track, just have to find a line mate or mates that can maximize his abilities through chemistry on a line.
dma0034
Registered User
Don't think I like a PP1 without Skinner.
Let Tage be the slapper on the PP2. He can get those shots in when Okposo misses the net
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
Plus, right now they are in a 1-3-1 and not a 1-2-2
.......................Reinhart
Eichel..........Skinner..........Okposo
....................Risto
Thompson isn't moving Eichel out of the Ovie Office anytime soon.
Yeah, giving him a look in the Stammer Spot on PP 2 is probably better than taking Jack out of his usual location. It's Okposo who should be sifted out of that unit, but for who remains to be seen.
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
How long before they put Dahlin in that spot on PP1 and let him run PP2 from the top spot?
PP1
.......................Reinhart
Eichel..........Skinner..........Dahlin
....................Risto
PP2
.......................Okposo
Thompson..........Mitts..........Sheary
....................Dahlin
brian_griffin
"Eric Cartman?"
Been focusing on Thompson more when watching games. My impressions, don't think anything new here that other posters haven't commented on:
Seems like a list of "normal" observations about someone
who just turned 21 and hasn't played the equivalent of a full season's worth of NHL games yet.
Still don't understand the front office insistence with starting him in BUF vs. ROC, but no point in debating the past. I believe his recent good fortune results more from luck than the conscious efforts and benefit of "video learning".
[I am reminded of Robert S. McNamara's idea to use the nascent technology of "video tape instruction" to prepare below-minimum-standard IQ inductees to be adequate Vietnam War GIs. The term "McNamara's morons" was assigned to that folly because their mortality rate was tragically 3x that of fully-qualified-standard GI inductees.]
- Above-average shot: Quick release, accuracy, & velocity. Probably his best attribute by far, and the one which would make up for deficiencies which aren't addressed through natural progress and improvement.
- Slow skating acceleration. Painfully slow acceleration. Long legs apparently don't generate a lot of power or speed, especially from a standing or gliding start. Typical peak speed doesn't seem to be slower or faster than the average player, but when you accelerate slowly, you'll find yourself a step behind, even if you're keeping up.
- Pulls puck tight to body / skates vs. using a wider spread stance to shield opponent from puck. It's not just on the toe-drag plays; he does it when not rushing the puck.
- Uses his size sometimes, most often doesn't or even avoids using his size.
- Doesn't always know where he's going on the ice / how to mesh with linemates when they have the puck in terms of moving into traffic (shield goalie, tie-up defenders) vs. moving to open space to draw defenders or potentially receive return pass, etc.
- For a "lanky guy", I haven't gauged his style. Is he more an Andreychuk-in-the-crease player vs. a Zubrus / Anisimov half-wall and below over the full d-zone player. I'm not trying to make player comparisons. Someone threw out John LeClair and I don't see Thompson as playing a LeClair style. He has a way better shot than Andreychuk, but doesn't move with the puck anywhere near as effectively as Zubrus / Anisimov, and isn't as dynamic / dangerous as LeClair (yet).
Seems like a list of "normal" observations about someone
who just turned 21 and hasn't played the equivalent of a full season's worth of NHL games yet.
Still don't understand the front office insistence with starting him in BUF vs. ROC, but no point in debating the past. I believe his recent good fortune results more from luck than the conscious efforts and benefit of "video learning".
[I am reminded of Robert S. McNamara's idea to use the nascent technology of "video tape instruction" to prepare below-minimum-standard IQ inductees to be adequate Vietnam War GIs. The term "McNamara's morons" was assigned to that folly because their mortality rate was tragically 3x that of fully-qualified-standard GI inductees.]
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Gordo21
Registered User
- Feb 9, 2017
- 978
- 193
This kid needs to get stronger. Work on his legs mostly. He can get faster. And when he does, watch out.
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