Been focusing on Thompson more when watching games. My impressions, don't think anything new here that other posters haven't commented on:
- 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).
Assuming the above is a truthful assessment,
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.]
