Tage Thompson 2022-23 Season
There have been many surprises during the start of the 2022-23 NHL season, but none more prominent than the leap of Buffalo Sabres’ forward Tage Thompson.
The 6’6″ 220 lb center is off to a career start through the first 30 games of this season, posting 46 points (24 goals, 22 assists) and aiming to bring Buffalo back to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
This season, Thompson has been a human highlight reel using his big frame and great hands to score some dazzling goals. Thompson also features a blistering one-timer and is such a smooth skater.
Does this guy ever score greasy rebounds or is every single goal an absolute BANGER?
— Nasher (@TheNasher61) December 16, 2022
TAGE THOMPSON.
pic.twitter.com/T4gTIfbwTQ
His marquee game has to be when the Buffalo Sabres bested the Blue Jackets 9-4, in which Thompson had not one, not two, but FIVE goals, including four in the first period which tied an NHL record. He also became the sixth player in the past 40 years to score four goals in any period, joining Patrick Marleau (January 23, 2017), Mario Lemieux (January 26, 1997), Peter Bondra, Joe Nieuwendyk (January 11, 1989) and Al Secord (January 7, 1987).
Donny G with the deep pockets ?
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 8, 2022
Congratulations, Tommer! pic.twitter.com/a3woknkZl6
Tage Thompson Early Career
The 25-year-old Thompson was a first-round selection by St. Louis back in 2016 and posted nine points in 41 games with the Blues before being dealt in a blockbuster 2018 trade that would send future Conn Smythe winner and Stanley cup Champion Ryan O’Reilly to the Blues in exchange for Thompson, Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, and multiple draft picks. When O’Reilly hoisted the cup for St. Louis the following year in 2019, many categorized the trade as a colossal win for the Blues.
However, Thompson has emerged as a franchise cornerstone for this Buffalo Sabres team since he posted a career-best 68-point season back in the 2021-2022 season. The Sabres rewarded Thompson when they signed him to a seven-year, $50 million contract extension in August following the end of the 2022 season. Thompson has certainly lived up to the hype of the contract so far this season, as he is on track to surpass his career highs in goals, assists, and points by the end of the season this year.
Playing on the Sabres’ top line has allowed Thompson to showcase why he was the 26th overall selection in the 2016 entry draft and led Buffalo with 28 points from March 2 to the end of last season, leading them to a 16-9-3 record in that span. Buffalo may be on the outside looking in right now when it comes to competing but is undoubtedly building a foundation of young stars led by Tage Thompson (25), Owen Power (20), Rasmus Dahlin (22), and so many more.
For more coverage of the NHL please follow me and Belly Up Sports on Twitter.
