The Thompson Train – TVA Sports

Some call him “Rage” Thompson. Others prefer “T’n’T”. One fact remains: Buffalo Sabers monumental forward Tage Thompson, who scored 38 goals in his breakout year last season, has continued his momentum into 2022-23.

He’s probably even better: After 32 games he has already scored 26 goals and is second in the NHL.

Thompson, a 25-year-old American, ended up in Buffalo in 2018 in the infamous deal that sent Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis. The 6’6” skater, who was the earlier pick at the end of the first round, took his time before unlocking. But now it’s done and he’s currently demonstrating an amazing level of skill.

In fact, since Mario Lemieux retired in 2005, Thompson is probably the player most like him to have emerged on the Bettman scene. Of course, he’s still a long way from The Magnificent, arguably the most talented player in hockey history, but those who watched the Quebecois play in his great years with the Penguins will recognize certain gestures and a number of similar qualities in Thompson.

First, he towers over everyone by also being the most skilled player on the ice. Like Lemieux, when he steps on the accelerator, we don’t stop him. And it’s very rare that Thompson registers a “garbage goal”: no, he leaves that to others. If it hits the target, there’s an almost 50/50 chance the goal will end up in the games of the week.

Thompson has already provided a number of anthology moments since the season began. Here, in no particular order, are a few of them. Fans of beautiful hockey, have fun!

We need to first talk about his five-goal game against the Blue Jackets on December 7th. Including four that were registered in the first period alone. Thompson also added an assist in his second (!!) six-point game of the season:

His other six-point game came against the Red Wings on October 31, when he had three goals and as many assists:

Thompson has this ability to undress an NHL goalie without forcing, which is also reminiscent of the Big 66:

Tage Thompson mocks Bruins defense – Nov 12, 2022 –

Another great goal by Tage Thompson –

The famous “Ovechkin goal” obviously has a future in the NHL: not only has “Ovie” himself not finished the shot, the Canadians’ Cole Caufield has his version of the game, and then there’s Thompson, who does it no frills. He has already registered several in this way in 2022-2023. The guards can’t do anything about it:

Finally, what about that November 28 goal against the Lightning, perhaps his best goal of the season so far?

And it’s not finished yet. We haven’t reached mid-season yet. Thompson can slow down a bit if he wants and still get 50 goals. But he doesn’t seem to be slowing down!

Darren Pena

Avid beer trailblazer. Friendly student. Tv geek. Coffee junkie. Total writer. Hipster-friendly internet practitioner. Pop culture fanatic.

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