Buffalo Sabers 2024 Player Report Card: Tage Thompson

Thompson was among the Sabres’ top offensive talents this season.

Total season stats: 29-27-56 in 71 matches played

Age: 26

Contract status: Signed through 2029-30 for $7.142 million AAV

As a standalone season, Tage Thompson had a decent year with the Buffalo Sabres. He finished third on the team with 56 points in 71 games, including a team-high 29 goals, despite missing time due to injury. The drop between the 2022-23 season and this season was clear – going from 94 points to 56 is undoubtedly a significant drop – but you couldn’t ask much more of it, especially as it became clearer over the course of of the season. season he was playing due to injury.

Despite the injury(s), Thompson always put up good numbers on a team that was struggling to miss the playoffs. Along with guys like Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner, Thompson was a big part of Buffalo’s offense. The key going forward is to get him healthy/recovered and see if he can get back to those numbers from 2022-23 where he became the talk of the NHL. Thompson easily elevates the players around him, and they do the same for him.

Thompson had points in 37 of 71 games last season, including 12 multi-point games.

Here is Thompson’s full media availability for the end of the season:

Given his long contract, Thompson will likely be seen as a leader on this team for several years. The key areas to watch during the 2024-25 season will be his health, but also how he flourishes and fits into Lindy Ruff’s coaching style. He is a responsible offensive player whose success on the ice is almost directly linked to the success of the team; if Thompson plays well, the Sabers will do well.

Season level: A-