*Photo from NHL.com*
We have a breakout star extension as we get close to training camp. The Buffalo Sabres and C/RW Tage Thompson have agreed to a 7 year, $50 million extension, according to David Pagnotta of NHL Network. The Sabres have confirmed.
The 2021-2022 was very easily the most productive year of Thompson's career. He set career highs in games played, goals, assists, overall points, blocks, and average ice time. Thompson expressed his desire to remain with the Sabres long term, and now, both sides have gotten it done.
When this season begins, Thompson will play out the final year of a 3 year deal he signed with the Sabres prior to the short 2021 season. He'll make $1.4 million this year before his new deal kicks in. When it does in the 2023-2024 season, his AAV jumps to $7.142 million, and has a modified no trade clause for 6 of the 7 years. He has a $2 million signing bonus in the first year.
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said of Thompson that "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."
Thompson easily had his best season last year with the Sabres. He rattled off 38 goals and 30 assists, recording a -17 plus/minus rating across a career high 17:53 of ice time per game, playing in 78 regular season games for the Sabres, who had a strong end to the season last year.
In his career, Thompson has spent 4 full seasons in the NHL, and one game in the 2019-2020 season. He has tallied 56 goals and 47 assists, averaging 14:23 of ice time per game while posting a -57 plus/minus rating, playing in 223 regular season games. Thompson has no playoff experience.
The 6 foot 7 Thompson had 66 hits last season, which ranked 3rd on the Sabres among qualified players. He was a former first round pick in 2016 by the St. Louis Blues, and was traded to the Sabres as part of the return for Ryan O'Reilly. His 0.87 point per game rate also led the Sabres among qualified players.
The re-signing of Thompson is the latest move this offseason for the Sabres. They re-signed both Craig Anderson and Victor Olofsson, and signed free agent Ilya Lyubushkin.
Comments
Post a Comment