Player Discussion Tage Thompson 2

[Fezzy126]

I'm wondering that as well.

The only thing Thompson does well at this time is shoot the puck. He isn't good at winning puck battles, he isn't good at making passing decisions when he does have it. He doesn't carry it well and regularly makes poor decisions in high danger areas (namely within 10' of either side of either blueline) when he does. Yes, he can occasionally stickhandle, but his outcomes at this point are not a net positive. There is no physical imposition to his game since he's easily knocked off his feet. And I'm not talking hitting, just being able to use a large frame to push through opponents to either establish position or win a puck.

Nylander can carry the puck, can distribute the puck and has some finish to his game. What we haven't seen is urgency to use those tools shift to shift.

Both are flawed, yet it seems Thompson needs others to deliver the puck for him to use his one quality skill far more than Nylander needs others to shift the balance of play.

If judging strictly on their AHL point production, Thompson has shown more growth than Nylander so far:

Nylander
	Points	Games	Pts/Gm
16-17	28	65	0.43
17-18	27	51	0.53
18-19	31	49	0.63
Thompson
	Points	Games	Pts/Gm
16-17	2	16	0.13
17-18	18	30	0.60
18-19	9	8	1.13

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Obviously, there's a very substantial sample size issue here, but I can see why Nylander's stagnant production would cause fans to have caution with his long term projection. While there is growth to his game, we're all still waiting for the proverbial light to go on and see that larger development step.

I think they're both NHLers, but for me it's still a coin flip as to who has the higher ceiling. They both have holes in their skillset that are annoying, but that's more the norm than the exception for 21 year-olds trying to break into the league. I can't shake this gut feeling that they try and move Nylander this offseason though.

 

[Chainshot]

If judging strictly on their AHL point production, Thompson has shown more growth than Nylander so far:

Nylander
	Points	Games	Pts/Gm
16-17	28	65	0.43
17-18	27	51	0.53
18-19	31	49	0.63
Thompson
	Points	Games	Pts/Gm
16-17	2	16	0.13
17-18	18	30	0.60
18-19	9	8	1.13

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Obviously, there's a very substantial sample size issue here, but I can see why Nylander's stagnant production would cause fans to have caution with his long term projection. While there is growth to his game, we're all still waiting for the proverbial light to go on and see that larger development step.

I think they're both NHLers, but for me it's still a coin flip as to who has the higher ceiling. They both have holes in their skillset that are annoying, but that's more the norm than the exception for 21 year-olds trying to break into the league. I can't shake this gut feeling that they try and move Nylander this offseason though.

Oh, I have concerns about both and if acquisition where not indicative of retention, I would hope they put both out as possible trade options. But I doubt they do that with Tage. They're both pretty warty.

 

[Snippit]

I'm wondering that as well.

The only thing Thompson does well at this time is shoot the puck. He isn't good at winning puck battles, he isn't good at making passing decisions when he does have it. He doesn't carry it well and regularly makes poor decisions in high danger areas (namely within 10' of either side of either blueline) when he does. Yes, he can occasionally stickhandle, but his outcomes at this point are not a net positive. There is no physical imposition to his game since he's easily knocked off his feet. And I'm not talking hitting, just being able to use a large frame to push through opponents to either establish position or win a puck.

Nylander can carry the puck, can distribute the puck and has some finish to his game. What we haven't seen is urgency to use those tools shift to shift.

Both are flawed, yet it seems Thompson needs others to deliver the puck for him to use his one quality skill far more than Nylander needs others to shift the balance of play.

If you’re not ready for the league you’re playing in, you’re going to look bad at pretty much everything.

My issue with Nylander is his lack of intensity, which you alluded to, in addition to his poor AHL numbers (Thompson put up much better numbers in his limited sample size).

Also Thompson still has a lanky frame - if he fills out he could possibly become more effective. Even though he was one of the worst players this season, there were a few games where I thought he was one of the best players on the ice which is promising.

 

[Chainshot]

If you’re not ready for the league you’re playing in, you’re going to look bad at pretty much everything.

My issue with Nylander is his lack of intensity, which you alluded to, in addition to his poor AHL numbers (Thompson put up much better numbers in his limited sample size).

Also Thompson still has a lanky frame - if he fills out he could possibly become more effective. Even though he was one of the worst players this season, there were a few games where I thought he was one of the best players on the ice which is promising.

Agreed on the flashes from Thompson -- a rangy guy dangling like he did had me thinking Mario (I even posted that in the GDT when it happened). There is a lot that could boom if he puts in the work and rounds off the (very) jagged edges. What I liked most in the Amerk games I watched wasn't that he finished, it was his willingness to get involved along the wall and how he engaged. His shot is overpowering down there, and I would like to see him work on how he moves the puck from zone recovery up through the entry and then what he does in the offensive zone. Some guys need to learn that a chip to an open teammate is often more useful and less detrimental than stickhandling the puck back toward one's own blueline. Sending it low, then getting to work to maintain or establish position, instead of giving up a turnover and then not backchecking as though the hordes of hell were nipping at one's heels if the other team scores.

 

[Buffaloed]

Thompson's coaches in the NHL have been Mike Yeo and Phil Housley. Neither knows the first thing about training a giraffe.

 

[jc17]

As frustrating as watching Tage could be, I agree that he showed some flashes that complete busts didn't. He never appeared disinterests or scared of getting involved the way a guy like Grigorenko did. Hopefully with some coaching he can find it.

It's worth noting that his most common linemates were Sobotka, Mitts, and Pominville. Not exactly the people you want leading young guy.

 

[sabremike]

Thompson's coaches in the NHL have been Mike Yeo and Phil Housley. Neither knows the first thing about training a giraffe.

This guy should be hired for our coaching staff:

 

[SabresSharks]

Imagine if he had spent the first half of the season with Rochester, and then come up a much improved player, loaded with confidence. A full year of potential development pissed away.

 

[Snippit]

Surely there's something to work with here

 

[Montag DP]

There's no doubt he has some serious raw talent, but that's also the problem -- it's very raw. He needs proper development more than anything.

 

[deVolt]

Feel sorry for this kid everything he does will be scrutinized in the light of the Ryan trade.

 

[Chainshot]

Feel sorry for this kid everything he does will be scrutinized in the light of the Ryan trade.

He's no Jimmy Carson.

 

[Chainshot]

 

[joshjull]

I just saw that. So many f*** ups last year on so many fronts.

 

[joshjull]

 

[joshjull]

Wanted to punch Harrington listening to this.

 

[Dingo44]

Wanted to punch Harrington listening to this.

As opposed to what other times?

 

[joshjull]

As opposed to what other times?

Usually it’s a slap. But I feel a punch is more warranted here.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I always imagine a Karate Kid style kick to the teeth.

 

[stokes84]

I just hope Tage Thompson 2 is better than the original.

 

[sufferer]

The violence should be directed towards Botterill

 

[KeyserSoze81]

The violence should be directed towards Botterill

We need to develop our kids responsibly, except Casey and Tage. Screw those guys, they are top 6ers now and forever.

 

[jc17]

I still haven't lost hope for tage. He had a rough year last season, but I think he still has a good deal of potential. I was pleasantly surprised during training camp and the prospects camp that his game was more than being tall and just having a heavy shot. He wasn't able to take it into the season, but I hope he can find it this year

 

[BloFan4Life]

I still haven't lost hope for tage. He had a rough year last season, but I think he still has a good deal of potential. I was pleasantly surprised during training camp and the prospects camp that his game was more than being tall and just having a heavy shot. He wasn't able to take it into the season, but I hope he can find it this year

To say he wasn't used correctly, would have been an understatement.

He has so much skill and potential. I don't know why he didn't have over 100 shots from the spot he scored versus Detroit that year. There should have been a launching pad from that spot on the PP with him.

 

[Chainshot]

Wanted to punch Harrington....

Yep.