EDIT: The idea that Tage isn’t an elite talent doesn’t jive with what he’s done since becoming a center
Tage is a human highlight reel. His individual skill is unquestioned and he can absolutely change the tide of a game with his individual effort. I love that he wants to be a Sabre and that he puts forth the effort every game.
That said, I don't want Tage as my top line center if I am trying to compete. He is not a guy that makes his wingers better. His hockey sense is no where near elite and he just doesn't control the flow of the game when he is on the ice like the top ten centers in the league do.
I don't want to pin all the Sabres issues on just Thompson, because it is just one a several key issues I think that is holding back the team, but his game relies on him making individual plays a lot more than propping up his linemates, which makes the Sabres top line much easier to defend. With Tage as the number one center, this team will need to rely on their second and third line to produce more consistently if they are going to be successful. If this team is going to take the next step with this core, I think they do it with two interchangeable 1A/1B top lines, where both have to take advantage of defensive mismatches when they draw lesser defenders.
