Value of: Tage Thompson

[CowbellConray]

Thompson began producing at age 24. Caufield is about to turn that age now and will likely outproduce what Thompson did at that age. He's far ahead of where Thompson was at that time. Thompson isn't a different class of player. If you look at what they've actually produced in the NHL already Caufield has better per game numbers already. 50 fewer goals in 120 less games. Caufield averages 34/28/62 per 82 for his career. Thompson averages 30/27/57 per 82. Caufield's numbers are similar but better. And he's just hitting his prime now.

Thompson's a center and he's huge. That's a big advantage. But production wise, Caufield will likely be a 40+ goal, 70-80 point guy.

Again, if this is a 'who do you take for this year's Team USA' question then it's Thompson. But as a rebuilding club, I'll take the guy who's three years younger and just entering his prime. Makes more sense from my team's perspective to simply hang onto that guy.

Correct. It would be insane of Montreal to do that. Just like it would be insane of them to do CC + a first. Absolutely no way.

Again, if I'm Buffalo I don't trade Thompson at all. I wouldn't trade him for Suzuki or Caufield. Demidov? Sure. In that case you're getting a top ranked prospect and a guy who's a full eight years younger. That would make sense. But Montreal isn't going to do that, nor should they.

Yea, I'm not trying to claim your crazy for your reasoning, I understand where you are coming from. I'm not as high on Cole, so my view is his ultimate ceiling is still below Tage's by a decent margin. With that said, that's me personally.

I think trading Tage is a bad idea for Buffalo, I wouldnt do it at all. With that said, if an overpay came to my desk as fake GM, I'd look into it because that's my responsibility.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Yea, I'm not trying to claim your crazy for your reasoning, I understand where you are coming from. I'm not as high on Cole, so my view is his ultimate ceiling is still below Tage's by a decent margin. With that said, that's me personally.

That's fine.

Caufield has to realize his potential. 48 in 82 is real. Those aren't pace numbers, it's what he actually did under his first 82 with MSL. But that was split across two seasons and then he had his injury. Then last year wasn't the same shooting wise. Now he's back to pacing for 45/70something.

I have no issue with somebody who thinks he won't continue to produce or will regress or whatever. That's forward looking and you never know. Injuries might also factor in and then that changes everything.

But going by production, Caufield drastically outproduces Thompson when we look at where they were at similar ages. And he outproduces him on a per game basis in goals/asissts and points over the course of their careers. I realize that Thompson's bigger and is a center but the numbers don't support Thompson being in a different tier. They're in the same class of player and Caufield's just hitting his prime. Tons of potential, we'll have to see if he realizes it.

I think trading Tage is a bad idea for Buffalo, I wouldnt do it at all. With that said, if an overpay came to my desk as fake GM, I'd look into it because that's my responsibility.

Agree with you there.

And if I was going to trade away Thompson, I'd be looking more at Demidov type guys who are far younger than I would at guys like Suzuki. Those kinds of trades don't really do anything for the Sabres. An elite prospect however, makes more sense if they really want to rebuild.

 

[Ciao]

How long has Buffalo been in a rebuild? 10+ years? that's insane. Just fold the franchise and sell it wholesale. What other sports team in history has had over a decade to figure it out?

The Leafs?

 

[Fjordy]

An elite prospect however, makes more sense if they really want to rebuild.

 

[TageGod]

It doesn't change the price from Buffalo's side, but it absolutely does for the buyer. There are a lot of different variables that need to be considered from both parties when it comes to price and "overpay". Montreal may feel that Misa/Demidov is a really solid core that they believe will be better than Thompson then it's an overpay.

Price is price. No GM will care. You aren't arguing if it's an overpay. You are arguing fit and timing, which has no impact on the acquiring price.

 

[Bouboumaster]

It's rough having teams try to poach your good players for a collection of lesser pieces with no consideration for your team's situation and needs. I feel for you Buffalo fans.

Like I get why people would try this with Cozens. He's underperforming, his contract is pretty risky. Maybe you can buy low and convince the Sabres to cut their losses. Thompson though? They're not going to accept the trade unless it's crazy.

Habs fans, start your proposals with Suzuki and a top 3 protected first, then add another asset you consider untouchable, then maybe, just maybe, you'll get the attention of Sabres fans.

Suzuki > Tage Alone, and you would want US to add?

Tage + Unprotected 1st 2025 for Big Dick Nick Suzuki

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Only thing worse than a rebuild is an aborted rebuild. Dealing away Eichel and Reinhart only hurt. The Sabres can't keep repeating those kinds of mistakes. They've got some nice pieces now. They're the youngest team in the league. Stay the course, keep developing and drafting. Don't go for quick fixes.

If they've got excess assets, then sure package some together. But don't go trading away prime prospects.

 

[Fjordy]

Only thing worse than a rebuild is an aborted rebuild. Dealing away Eichel and Reinhart only hurt. The Sabres can't keep repeating those kinds of mistakes. They've got some nice pieces now. They're the youngest team in the league. Stay the course, keep developing and drafting. Don't go for quick fixes.

If they've got excess assets, then sure package some together. But don't go trading away prime prospects.

I disagree with you, what recovery? Add veterans to the team, Thompson is 27, Tuch is 28, we need to compete.

 

[TheNumber4]

Tage Value >> Cauffield Value

Sorry Habs fans.

 

[CowbellConray]

Price is price. No GM will care. You aren't arguing if it's an overpay. You are arguing fit and timing, which has no impact on the acquiring price.

I think we are splitting hairs a bit to be honest. I guess price is price if I say "Tage would cost this", but fit and timing have SOME measure towards price dependent on the situation. If someone's price for Tage is a first line center, and I offer you a first line center, but I also offer you a prospect two firsts and a role player, each of those has a price. It's not just fit and timing it's the collective value of those pieces.

All in all, I think we probably mean similar things with just different definitions. All good regardless

 

[JPT]

27 years old player with 1 ppg season under his belt is worth Suzuki, a very likely top 5 1st and ANOTHER untouchable asset, to MAYBE get the Sabres attention?

That's like 3 times the value Buffalo got for Jack Eichel who led Vegas to a cup.

One thing about the Eichel trade that I keep forgetting about is that Vegas traded for Eichel AND a guarantee from the league that they would win the Cup.

 

[HabsCode]

It's rough having teams try to poach your good players for a collection of lesser pieces with no consideration for your team's situation and needs. I feel for you Buffalo fans.

Like I get why people would try this with Cozens. He's underperforming, his contract is pretty risky. Maybe you can buy low and convince the Sabres to cut their losses. Thompson though? They're not going to accept the trade unless it's crazy.

Habs fans, start your proposals with Suzuki and a top 3 protected first, then add another asset you consider untouchable, then maybe, just maybe, you'll get the attention of Sabres fans.

Probably wouldn’t trade Suzuki for Thompson 1 v 1. Let alone a top 3 protected pick. The other untouchable asset on top of that? Laughable

 

[Canuck Luck]

pettersson for tage 1 for 1?

 

[MoneyManny]

One thing about the Eichel trade that I keep forgetting about is that Vegas traded for Eichel AND a guarantee from the league that they would win the Cup.

Buffalo sure could use one of those guarantees before their rebuild fails again.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I disagree with you, what recovery? Add veterans to the team, Thompson is 27, Tuch is 28, we need to compete.

The Sabres have lost 11 in a row. They are nowhere close.

So you can choose the quick fix route or you can actually rebuild this time. You've already got some great young players and you'll get another top pick this year. I'd just stick it out.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Tage Value >> Cauffield Value

Sorry Habs fans.

If it’s ’win now’? Sure.

 

[Fjordy]

The Sabres have lost 11 in a row. They are nowhere close.

So you can choose the quick fix route or you can actually rebuild this time. You've already got some great young players and you'll get another top pick this year. I'd just stick it out.

What difference does it make even if you are making a start for next season. You have absolutely no idea what we need. Our best forwards are getting old and maybe they are at their peak now, our roster is too young, we would have finished this rebuilding long ago or never started it if it weren't for our idiot GM and stupid owner.