Next season, a massive Seven Year, $50 Million contract extension kicks in for Thompson. Right now, that looks like a steal for the Buffalo Sabres.
As I write this article, The Sabres just defeated the Penguins 6-3 in a comeback win that saw Tage Thompson get two points and be a huge part of the third period push that eventually led to a win.
In his last 3 games, Thompson has 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points. At 25, the Sabres are hoping they can get quite a few more years out of him as they look to become contenders again after a long, tough few years for the organization and their fans.
"“Tage Thompson embodies the pride we expect from every player who wears the Buffalo Sabres sweater..his success last season is a testament to his unrelenting dedication to his craft and commitment to bettering the team both on and off the ice, which we believe will help us reach even greater heights moving forward. We are thrilled to extend Tage, keeping him and his family in Buffalo for many years to come.”– Sabres GM Kevyn Adams"
Thompson was involved in the Ryan O’Reilly trade a few years back that saw the current Blues captain traded from Buffalo for three players and three draft selections, including Thompson. The deal now, looks quite even as the Sabres got a player for their future that they could build around, while the Blues got their player that became their leader, likely until he hangs up his skates.
Last season, Thompson led the Sabres in points with 68, 38 of those being goals. He’s a tall centremen with a really strong stride for a guy that size, who can clearly make plays and see the ice really well. His teammates are feeding off of his strong start, and right now I can confidently say he looks like a top 5 player in the NHL.
The extension looks like a steal right now. Obviously he could slow down and fall off the face of the earth as fast as he got hot, but I can’t see that happening just yet. The Sabres all around look extremely dangerous, and many fans around the league, not even just in Buffalo are hoping they don’t slow down, because they’re an entertaining team to watch night in and night out.
Thompson doesn’t only put up points, but his 200 foot game is a thing of beauty. He constantly puts in the work on the back check, plays his position well, and throws his weight around when he needs to. He’s a special player, surrounded by a team of guys that no one expected to be this hot out of the gate. I can confidently say I think Thompson can put up 85 points this season, and be a huge part in a potential playoff run if the Sabres continue to play well.