Tage Thompson: what’s his future?

[dudacek]

Reporter caught up to him in the Buffalo News.

https://buffalonews.com/2020/05/19/buffalo-sabres-rochester-americans-tage-thompson-nhl-ahl-news-2020/
 

He’s been doing heavy lower body workouts and is up to 225 pounds, 20 pounds heavier than he was a year ago. Says he expects to add more over the summer. The shoulder is healing well and he should be at full speed in about a month.

Like it or not, he’s probably our best bet currently to upgrade a middle six RW slot. Can he make an Olofsson-like jump and add 15-25 goals?

He’s 22 now, obviously more powerful, and the early returns last year in Rochester were good. But he also had a long way to go in terms of being mentally and physically equipped to handle the NHL game and has basically lost a year of development.

What are our expectations for Tage this year?

Edited May 20, 2020 by dudacek

[North Buffalo]

No clue... jury is hung right now without further evidence.

[LGR4GM]

28 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Reporter caught up to him in the Buffalo News.

https://buffalonews.com/2020/05/19/buffalo-sabres-rochester-americans-tage-thompson-nhl-ahl-news-2020/
 

He’s been doing heavy lower body workouts and is up to 225 pounds, 20 pounds heavier than he was a year ago. Says he expects to add more over the summer. The shoulder is healing well and he should be at full speed in about a month.

Like it or not, he’s probably our best bet currently to upgrade a middle six RW slot. Can he make an Olofsson-like jump and add 15-25 goals?

He’s 22 now, obviously more powerful, and the early returns last year in Rochester were good. But he also had a long way to go in terms of being mentally and physically equipped to handle the NHL game and has basically lost a year of development.

What are our expectations for Tage this year?

When we talk about players making jumps like in the Risto thread I think of a guy like Tage. Tage has yet to play in the league at anywhere near his peak physical condition. He needed to add the weight and strength. Now will that be enough? Idk, there are times where you see what Tage could be and other times where I would rather see Sobotka out there. I think it will be a rough year for him because the speed of the game will take a minute. Can he be a #2 RW? Idk. 

[dudacek]

33 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

When we talk about players making jumps like in the Risto thread I think of a guy like Tage. Tage has yet to play in the league at anywhere near his peak physical condition. He needed to add the weight and strength. Now will that be enough? Idk, there are times where you see what Tage could be and other times where I would rather see Sobotka out there. I think it will be a rough year for him because the speed of the game will take a minute. Can he be a #2 RW? Idk. 

I think he clearly has the physical gifts to be a second-line NHL player. His shot is heavy, his hands are soft, he skates just fine and that reach is world-class. And he is of an age where you expect prospects to take a step.

But one of two things generally trip up youngsters: the inability to win and protect the puck, and the inability to make decisions at NHL speed. Tage sucked at both.

Despite his age, the kid has played less than 180 pro games, and has played less than 250 games anywhere in the past 5 years.

I’ll be surprised if he is ready this fall because he just hasn’t had the repetition he needs to make the adjustments he needs.

Seems like a good kid though. I won’t be writing him off if he’s not here this fall.

 

Edited May 20, 2020 by dudacek

[Weave]

Adding that much weight might require him to change his game.  It will be interesting to see where this goes.

[tom webster]

47 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

When we talk about players making jumps like in the Risto thread I think of a guy like Tage. Tage has yet to play in the league at anywhere near his peak physical condition. He needed to add the weight and strength. Now will that be enough? Idk, there are times where you see what Tage could be and other times where I would rather see Sobotka out there. I think it will be a rough year for him because the speed of the game will take a minute. Can he be a #2 RW? Idk. 

Wow, we seem to have actually agreed on two or three things lately. There was always anecdotal evidence that big guys took longer to develop.We will see. He’s one of the guys I always figured as one of the potential “surprises” that every franchise needs. 

[spndnchz]

There was an interview with him recently. He says he’s back 100% plus some from his injury. Like you said, we’ll see. 

[thewookie1]

If he can learn how to use his size, not merely cheat using his size he could truly be a great 2RW. His size with hands is a rare combo 

[sabremike]

Expect to see a more physical and hard hitting game from Tage this season:

 

[freester]

He needs to play on the 3rd line with Johansson and Cousins. 

[thewookie1]

1 hour ago, sabremike said:

Expect to see a more physical and hard hitting game from Tage this season:

 

 

Seen above: Tage Thompson runs over Aaron Ekblad to create a scoring chance

[nfreeman]

I don’t think I will ever tire of the giraffe gifs.  

[sabremike]

50 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

I don’t think I will ever tire of the giraffe gifs.  

[nfreeman]

^^^  Pilut and Tage? 

[Taro T]

Just now, nfreeman said:

^^^  Pilut and Tage? 

As long as it isn't Mike Wilson & Tage ...

[Doohicksie]

7 hours ago, sabremike said:

Expect to see a more physical and hard hitting game from Tage this season:

 

How hungry does a lion have to be to try to take one of those down???

[Mustache of God]

If you look close enough you can see the Giraffe's butthole. That's also how I feel about Tage.

[mjd1001]

I have no clue at all what he is going to be right.

In the past there are some players I have had strong feelings about.  From the first few games I saw Reinhart play, I though he was going to be a consistent 20-25 goal scorer (good to very good player, not superstar though).  Nick Baptiste I was sure would be a good NHL player putting in 20-25 goals per year (I was wrong about him, but I still had a strong feeling about him.).  Tage though?  Nothing. No feeling at all.  He could never make this team at all (like a Baptiste or Bailey) or he can turn into a 30 goal per year guy.  Nothing would surprise me.

[inkman]

1 hour ago, Mustache of God said:

If you look close enough you can see the Giraffe's butthole. That's also how I feel about Tage.

You want to see Tage's Cornhole? 

[GASabresIUFAN]

18 hours ago, freester said:

He needs to play on the 3rd line with Johansson and Cousins. 

Cozens and I agree

[Ogelthorpe]

If cozens is on team this year it will be mismanagement of another 1st round pick

[dudacek]

5 minutes ago, Ogelthorpe said:

If cozens is on team this year it will be mismanagement of another 1st round pick

Why?

[nfreeman]

I'll say it:  I am cautiously optimistic about TT and will predict that he becomes the #3 RW by the end of the season and shows enough to make most here optimistic about developing into the #2 RW.  I think he's got the physical tools and the drive to get there.  And I'd be pretty psyched to watch a 3rd line of Mojo-Cozens-TT.

[LGR4GM]

59 minutes ago, Ogelthorpe said:

If cozens is on team this year it will be mismanagement of another 1st round pick

Actually it isn't. Going back to juniors is not going to push Cozens further. I wish he could go to the AHL but sadly the NHL has one of the dumbest agreements I have ever seen.

[SwampD]

Oh, I get it!!

It's because he's tall, right?!

 

Clever...