Tage Thompson stats: “Everything about him has been special”

Tage Thompson and the Buffalo Sabers were one of the most surprising feel-good stories of the 2022-2023 NHL season. At 26-19-4, Buffalo finds itself in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings with a legitimate chance to return to the postseason for the first time since 2011.

One of the reasons for the Sabers’ success that year was the sustained breakthrough of forward Tage Thompson. One of the league’s most exciting young talents, Thompson was a revelation for the Sabers with 34 goals and 34 assists in 49 games.

He is just 20 goals behind Alexander Mogilny, who scored 54 goals in the 1992–93 season, setting the all-time franchise goalscoring record in a single season.

“Don Granato is the perfect person to lead the Sabers as they try to turn things around. I asked him today when he realized that Tage Thompson had flipped the switch on his career. His answer is worth your time.” – Matthew Bove

In a recent interview with the NHL Network, Thompson’s teammate Dylan Cozens had nothing but praise for the 25-year-old superstar.

“I think everything about him was special. His puck protection, his hands, his ability to score, his ability to take off guys and keepers,” Cozens explained. “He’s amazing to watch. Every time he gets the puck he’s a goal threat. It’s a lot of fun to watch.”

“The @BuffaloSabres have been electric to watch this season. @Dylan_Cozens joins #NHLTonight to discuss how much fun they are having, the team connecting off the ice and Tage Thompson. @adnansvirk | @BJaffe | @Stevekonroyd | #LetsGoBuffalo” – NHL Network

Like Thompson, Dylan Cozens is in the midst of the best season of his NHL career. The Whitehorse, Yukon forward currently has 17 goals and 26 assists for the Sabers, already beating career highs in both categories.

The Buffalo Sabers currently rank fourth in the Atlantic Division. They trail only the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers for most goals scored this season with 184.

A look at Tage Thompson’s journey to NHL superstardom

The 6’7″ forward was originally drafted by the St. Louis Blues with the 26th pick of the 2016 NHL draft. On July 1, 2018, Thompson was traded by the Blues with the first-round draft pick in 2019, Patrik Berglund, second-round draft pick in 2021 (Ben Roger), and Vladimir Sobotka to Buffalo for Ryan O’Reilly.

In 231 games with the Sabers, Thompson has 87 goals and 75 assists.