Player Discussion Tage Thompson 2

[Dex]

It is true that Tage played center along the way including the time during which Granato was his coach. But that was 7 or so years ago. According to this article, Tage was switched to wing in college.

Tage speaks in this 10/12/21 interview from https://thehockeywriters.com/sabres-tage-thompson-moves-to-center/ :

Growing up, he always played as a center in junior hockey leagues until he switched to become a winger in college. Thompson expanded on this in his Oct. 4 media availability. “I was always a center, and then college was when I switched to wing. It’s been a while since I’ve played center, so as of right now, I’d say I probably prefer wing a little bit better, but I’m excited about the opportunity.”
​

If the esteemed posters above are implying that it was a no brainer that Tage be tried at center, I think that is a stretch. It's been 7 years since he played the position and that was at an entirely different level of hockey.

I think Granato deserves credit for the switch

​

 

[threeVo]

What expectations are you referring to?

 

[Montag DP]

If we dont win a cup with Tage or Johnson on the roster then we still lose the trade.

We weren't winning a Cup with ROR on the roster either, so I don't think that logic works. Thompson's ceiling is a legit 1C, which is equivalent to ROR. Not saying that will happen, but if it did, it would even out the trade for us regardless of what ROR has done in St. Louis.

 

[Diaspora]

Thompson's ceiling is a legit 1C [ . . . ]

Tage is doing great. Is 1C really his ceiling?

Is it really?

 

[Matt Ress]

Creepy

 

[joshjull]

If we dont win a cup with Tage or Johnson on the roster then we still lose the trade.

That’s not how that works

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Man of Principles]

What do we realistically think we've got in Thompson? He's playing with a lot of confidence. I admit that until late last season I wasn't high on him. Can he be consistent 25-30 goal guy?

 

[Gimli]

I like the way he handles himself amidst adversity. If he maintains his improvement over time, I think Tage could be in the running for a letter on his sweater.

 

[Matt Ress]

It is true that Tage played center along the way including the time during which Granato was his coach. But that was 7 or so years ago. According to this article, Tage was switched to wing in college.

Tage speaks in this 10/12/21 interview from https://thehockeywriters.com/sabres-tage-thompson-moves-to-center/ :

Growing up, he always played as a center in junior hockey leagues until he switched to become a winger in college. Thompson expanded on this in his Oct. 4 media availability. “I was always a center, and then college was when I switched to wing. It’s been a while since I’ve played center, so as of right now, I’d say I probably prefer wing a little bit better, but I’m excited about the opportunity.”
​

If the esteemed posters above are implying that it was a no brainer that Tage be tried at center, I think that is a stretch. It's been 7 years since he played the position and that was at an entirely different level of hockey.

I think Granato deserves credit for the switch

​

It's also true that Tage once scored a SH 5 on 2 ripper
Tage once made a snake suck the venom back out of his leg

 

[elchud]

All of the talk about the RoR trade has really affected him and it took a while but he really got motivated by it.

His accomplishments are on us. Take the win everybody.

 

[cybresabre]

All of the talk about the RoR trade has really affected him and it took a while but he really got motivated by it.

His accomplishments are on us. Take the win everybody.

Let's not go overboard handing out the praise, it wasn't everybody. Mike really held him back in that regard. The rest of us did a great job, sure.

 

[Montag DP]

Here, I fixed it for you.

 

[JLewyB]

Here, I fixed it for you.

View attachment 485272

Haha. His neck allows him to reach up and get those extra goals.

 

[Buffaloed]

Let's not go overboard handing out the praise, it wasn't everybody. Mike really held him back in that regard. The rest of us did a great job, sure.

Mike stifled Tage's development not letting him have any personal space. Tage couldn't even hang out with his friends without Mike hovering nearby.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

32 Thoughts: Without Olympics, NHL/NHLPA must plan for next World Cup
22. Player who has most surprised this season: Tage Thompson, Buffalo.

 

[michaelsaas]

Does the NHL have a most improved player award like the NBA does?

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Does the NHL have a most improved player award like the NBA does?

No. But I did find that they once had an award for the player who scores the most points on the road. Sakic was the last winner. Other shuttered awards are: NHL Foundation Player award (combined with the King Clancy), Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award (best save percentage, must have played 25+ games), the Emery Edge Award (later Alka-Seltzer Award, later Bud Ice Plus Minus Award, later Bud Light Plus Minus Award), and the Scotiabank NHL Fan Fav Award (the NHL’s MVP as voted by fans, won by Luongo the only time it was awarded).

There’s also a scouting award, but weirdly, it’s not given to the 1st overall pick. Winners include Zayde Wisdom, Neil Doef (who?!?!), Travis Konecny and William Eklund. Hischier is the only 1st overall to win it. This award is given out at the NHL draft.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

He has proved me wrong this season, and his work down the middle has been admirable. For a team of castoffs and hodge podge, I'm slowly coming around. Go Giraffe.

 

[BritSabre]

... Neil Doef (who?!?!)...

I was curious so looked him up. Glad I did.

Doef was paralyzed from the waist down after suffering a spinal cord injury during the World Junior A Challenge in Saskatchewan in 2014. He has since regained partial use of his legs. Doef had committed to a hockey scholarship to attend Princeton University in Fall 2016.

Neil Doef at eliteprospects.com

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I was curious so looked him up. Glad I did.


Neil Doef at eliteprospects.com

Fair enough. He was the only undrafted person listed. The other was a team (Humboldt Broncos).

 

[Buffaloed]

Tage was hoping to kick back and relax during the break, but he just can't seem to get away. I think he has a tracking chip implanted.

 

[michaelsaas]

No. But I did find that they once had an award for the player who scores the most points on the road. Sakic was the last winner. Other shuttered awards are: NHL Foundation Player award (combined with the King Clancy), Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award (best save percentage, must have played 25+ games), the Emery Edge Award (later Alka-Seltzer Award, later Bud Ice Plus Minus Award, later Bud Light Plus Minus Award), and the Scotiabank NHL Fan Fav Award (the NHL’s MVP as voted by fans, won by Luongo the only time it was awarded).

There’s also a scouting award, but weirdly, it’s not given to the 1st overall pick. Winners include Zayde Wisdom, Neil Doef (who?!?!), Travis Konecny and William Eklund. Hischier is the only 1st overall to win it. This award is given out at the NHL draft.

I never heard of most of those awards lol. Thanks! It's a shame there isn't a most improved because Tage is on track for it.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I never heard of most of those awards lol. Thanks! It's a shame there isn't a most improved because Tage is on track for it.

I was surprised by how little awards they have. Sure, some aren’t that important, but they’re still pretty cool.

I mean, it’d be cool to have some NBA type awards, even if they’re not important.

 

[Jim Bob]

@sabremike is going to be voting early and often.