Tage Thompson heads to Boston as a reserve for 4 nations final

[LGR4GM]

Thompson can only play if team USA drops below 12 forwards. 

 

 

[inkman]

Hey the ol Tageroo!  Woohoo or something.  

[sabremike]

[TheAud]

Watch out for a Nancy Kerrigan-like incident occurring to an American forward in the pre-skate. 

[PromoTheRobot]

4 hours ago, inkman said:

Hey the ol Tageroo!  Woohoo or something.  

Tommy Dangles

[xzy89c1]

he would be lost in a high-level game like that. Assignments are key and he is a floater.

[msw2112]

It's not likely that Tage will play, but if he did, I think he'd be an asset to Team USA.  When Tage plays with intensity, he's a great offensive player and he has one of the best shots in the league.  His combination of size and skill is hard for defenders to deal with.  The biggest issue with him on the Sabres is that his effort is inconsistent.  Put into a championship game, playing for his country, with all of the accomplished veterans that are on the USA squad, there's no way Thompson would float around the ice.  He'd go full-tilt, hustle back on defense (if asked to do it) and would contribute.  The Sabres lack the type of environment (meaningful games, influential high-end veterans, etc.) that would bring out the best in Thompson.  Eichel lacked that in Buffalo, and like Thompson, was the best player on the ice at times, particularly offensively, but also floated and didn't backcheck.  Those problems are non-existent for Eichel in Vegas and on Team USA, where he plays a complete game and has been lauded for it.

Obviously, I don't want to see any USA forwards injured or ill, but as a Sabres fan, I'd certainly like to see Thompson get on the ice tonight.

Edited 19 hours ago by msw2112

[LGR4GM]

Tage most likely not playing

 

[mjd1001]

50 minutes ago, msw2112 said:

It's not likely that Tage will play, but if he did, I think he'd be an asset to Team USA.  When Tage plays with intensity, he's a great offensive player and he has one of the best shots in the league.  His combination of size and skill is hard for defenders to deal with.  The biggest issue with him on the Sabres is that his effort is inconsistent.  Put into a championship game, playing for his country, with all of the accomplished veterans that are on the USA squad, there's no way Thompson would float around the ice.  He'd go full-tilt, hustle back on defense (if asked to do it) and would contribute.  The Sabres lack the type of environment (meaningful games, influential high-end veterans, etc.) that would bring out the best in Thompson.  Eichel lacked that in Buffalo, and like Thompson, was the best player on the ice at times, particularly offensively, but also floated and didn't backcheck.  Those problems are non-existent for Eichel in Vegas and on Team USA, where he plays a complete game and has been lauded for it.

Obviously, I don't want to see any USA forwards injured or ill, but as a Sabres fan, I'd certainly like to see Thompson get on the ice tonight.

Its pretty well knowing (I think) that Tage plays through a lot of injuries.  At least I think he does.  I wonder if his 'floating' and 'inconsistent effort' is less of a factor of him just being lazy, and more of a factor of: 1.)  he's playing with injuries and/or 2.) He knows is energy 'burst' are best used pushing himself in the offensive end and often times he's a big gassed on the defensive end?   Sure, any player who floats a bit would have that as an excuse to use, but it matters more when he is your best/most talented offensive player by miles.

As far as the numbers go this season, obviously the Sabres are at their best scoring goals when he is on the ice. But defensively?  The Sabres allow slightly less goals at even strength when Tage is out there this season than they do when he's on the bench.  They are a LOT better offensively, and even slightly better defensively when he is on the ice.

 

Edited 18 hours ago by mjd1001

[_Q_]

49 minutes ago, msw2112 said:

It's not likely that Tage will play, but if he did, I think he'd be an asset to Team USA.  When Tage plays with intensity, he's a great offensive player and he has one of the best shots in the league.  His combination of size and skill is hard for defenders to deal with.  The biggest issue with him on the Sabres is that his effort is inconsistent.  Put into a championship game, playing for his country, with all of the accomplished veterans that are on the USA squad, there's no way Thompson would float around the ice.  He'd go full-tilt, hustle back on defense (if asked to do it) and would contribute.  The Sabres lack the type of environment (meaningful games, influential high-end veterans, etc.) that would bring out the best in Thompson.  Eichel lacked that in Buffalo, and like Thompson, was the best player on the ice at times, particularly offensively, but also floated and didn't backcheck.  Those problems are non-existent for Eichel in Vegas and on Team USA, where he plays a complete game and has been lauded for it.

Obviously, I don't want to see any USA forwards injured or ill, but as a Sabres fan, I'd certainly like to see Thompson get on the ice tonight.

This is so true and at the same time the saddest analysis of Sabre hockey.

[Demoted]

Tage got the pity nod

[inkman]

26 minutes ago, Demoted said:

Tage got the pity nod

What nod?  He’s not playing. 

[DarthEbriate]

Given they announced he wasn’t playing this morning, I wonder if Tage got a jersey.

[ExWNYer]

8 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

Given they announced he wasn’t playing this morning, I wonder if Tage got a jersey.