Sabres Sign Tage Thompson to a 7 year 50 Million Dollar Contract Extension

[Brad_MI]

Definitely like 7 years for $50M from the aspect of locking him up for long term, but also a big fan of the timing. Showing the rest of the team that “The Sabres take care of our own” is a good message heading into a year that could solidify a few different peoples trajectories with the team. 

[Zamboni]

Yea it’s fair for current times when you consider, age, length, history, progress, development, talent, potential, and chemistry with the locker room. TNT just needs to have north of 55 point seasons and it will be fair for both sides for years. 

[Taro T]

Becomes even more of a bargain if it's looked at as ~$55MM over 10 years. 😉

 

[CallawaySabres]

Anything less than 40 goals per year and this will kill them.

I kid, I kid, reuppped for seasons and really fired up to see this team grow.

[Ruff Around The Edges]

Every deal has a risk, still would love to see Tage duplicate the points again this year, but what if Tage scores 43G next year and he does not sign?

Then you hear rumors he might get traded, or the price goes up to 8M AAV or even more.

Both sides hit a good number.

Plus with Adams working on changing he culture of this franchise from the inside out, this sends a positive message to the entire locker room. Players want to win and they want stability. This is an excellent step in that process.

Can Tage duplicate his numbers going forward? With that size and shot, and it isn't like he had a 22 percent shooting % (15% last year) it is very reasonable to believe he can do this again and again.

And now in Year #2 of being a full time center, Tage can grow his game and work on the other nuisances of the C position (example, improve on face-offs)

Well done Adams!

[Flashsabre]

We have a core building block.

Now imagine 2 years ago telling this board that the Sabres would be signing Tage to a 7 year $50 million deal and that most people would give it a thumbs up.😛

[Mr. Allen]

Any mention of a NMC?

[GASabresIUFAN]

That’s a big deal for a guy with one successful season coupled with a career high shooting %.

[HumanSlinky39]

This deal will look like a bargain in a couple of years.

[freester]

It’s an extension. It does even begin for a few years. By the time it begins the cap will be rising. 

[Taro T]

2 minutes ago, freester said:

It’s an extension. It does even begin for a few years. By the time it begins the cap will be rising. 

It starts next season.

[Huckleberry]

Its a fair deal if he keeps producing like this, but a bargain if he becomes an 80 point 1C.   I like the gamble here, can still be 2 million too much if he is not a top 6 center in 2 years though.

[Porous Five Hole]

This also rewards the homegrown “want to be here” type of player the team is so desperate to cultivate. Nice signing. 

[bob_sauve28]

52 minutes ago, Curt said:

Wow, Thompson’s contract is the exact same length and AAV as that contract Vanek signed 15 years ago.  15 years ago!

Wow. That;s really wild 

[Brawndo]

 

[That Aud Smell]

Zoinks!!

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Well, there goes my Thompson Expectations thread write-up all to hell…🤬

😜

[Buffalonill]

Hate it ..

So they're rewarding  1 good year.. should have  Waited

Edited August 30, 2022 by Buffalonill

[LGR4GM]

1 minute ago, Buffalonill said:

Hate it ..

So we're rewarding 1 good year.. should have  Waited

[bob_sauve28]

I'm happy for him. Great hockey player, nice guy and new daddy! 

 

Ya Tage! 

[LGR4GM]

 

[dudacek]

51 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Becomes even more of a bargain if it's looked at as ~$55MM over 10 years. 😉

 

It’s funny how everyone is worried that he might be overpaid if he slides back.
He was underpaid by about $6 million last year and probably will be again this year.

Loving the example being shown that the team will reward the guys who produce and live the culture.

Also love the potential for this to act as a bit of a drag on other salaries in the same way Marchand and Bergeron did for all those years in Boston. If Tage is a 2C, it’s fair. If he’s a 1C, Adams can use it as a lever to keep other salaries down.

Edited August 30, 2022 by dudacek

[Buffalonill]

9 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Im just saying they could have waited to see if it was a fluke 

The contract wouldn't have changed much 

[mjd1001]

10 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

Hate it ..

So they're rewarding  1 good year.. should have  Waited

And if you waited another year to see if he duplicates it, It would be a greater cap hit every year going forward.  You have to take chances on guys you have conviction on early to keep the cap down a bit so when you ARE good you can add more players if needed.

Play it safe too much, wait till guys 'prove' it for multiple years, and you will end up with a 'good' team in the long run, but not a great team that can win the cup.

[dudacek]

7 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

Hate it ..

So we're rewarding 1 good year.. should have  Waited

I remember way back 2017 when a kid jumped to 34 goals and 70 points out of nowhere after putting up just 26 points the year before.

David Pastrnak’s $6.67 million AAV over 6 years has looked pretty nice since.

Smart teams give contracts like this to the right players and profit for years.