Tage Thompson

The Sabres took a risk when they signed Thompson to a seven-year, $50 million contract in the summer of 2022, but that deal is already looking like a huge win for general manager Kevyn Adams. Thompson's career got off to an underwhelming start, with him scoring 18 goals and 35 points in 145 outings between 2017-18 and 2020-21. It wasn't until 2021-22 that Thompson really started to put it together by contributing 38 goals and 68 points in 78 games. That breakout led to Buffalo's big commitment, and Thompson rewarded that trust by demonstrating last season that he can do even better. Looking forward, Thompson is set to continue to make Adams look good by at least exceeding the 30-goal and 60-point milestones for the third straight year and might do meaningfully better offensively than even those impressive marks.

Thompson looked like a full fade in any fantasy format a season ago after he managed just 18 goals and 35 points in his first 140 NHL games. The Sabres still didn't win much in 2021-22, but Thompson did his part, posting a massive line of 38 goals, 68 points (including 16 with the man advantage) and 253 shots on goal in 78 games. Thompson's breakthrough seems sustainable. Sure, his 15 percent shooting percentage was a bit high, but his usage was terrific, and he won't turn 25 until late October. In the span of a year, Thompson has gone from a fringe NHL player to a franchise cornerstone for a Buffalo team which should be much improved this coming year.

It wasn't pretty (eight goals, six assists, 14 points, minus-six rating), but Thompson set career-high marks across the board last season. He was in and out of the lineup early in the year before securing a full-time spot over the course of Buffalo's final 23 games. He was productive over that span, posting seven goals and 12 points. Thompson is the exact type of player a rebuilding team like Buffalo should give every opportunity to bloom. He's 6-foot-6 with an excellent set of hands and he's still just 23 years old. It would be shocking if Thompson didn't begin next season as a regular in the lineup given his strong finish to last campaign, but fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach before taking the plunge.

Thompson only appeared in one contest with the Sabres before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury last year. The 6-foot-6 American should be a full-time player for Buffalo in 2020-21, but he'll be playing in a checking role on the fourth line, severely limiting his offensive upside. Thompson should be a solid bottom-sixer for the Sabres this season, but he won't be a useful fantasy option.

Thompson's huge at 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, and he turns just 22 in October, so there's some upside to be found in St. Louis' 2016 first-rounder. He spent most of last season with the big club in Buffalo, coming away with seven goals, 12 points and a minus-22 rating in 65 games. That lack of scoring suggests he's likely ticketed for a bottom-six role, though Thompson did flash some AHL scoring touch with six goals and three helpers in eight games. Though the Sabres have a glut of bottom-six forwards on the roster, Thompson's size and youth should help him secure a roster spot in camp.

The 2016 first-round (26th overall) pick got his first taste of the NHL last season, lighting the lamp three times and dishing out six helpers in 41 games. There was a learning curve for Thompson, however, as he struggled defensively at times, shying away from contact and finishing with a minus-12 rating. Still, The 6-foot-5, 205-pound forward has massive potential highlighted by a dangerous wrister, but the Blues packaged him in a trade to Buffalo in exchange for star Ryan O'Reilly. The Sabres are a better fit for Thompson at this time, as they're younger and the pressure of chasing a Cup hasn't arrived yet. It will be a good opportunity for the 20-year-old to hone in on improvements while manning Buffalo's third line. Fantasy owners in keeper leagues should see Thompson's bright future, but those searching for results this season will want to look elsewhere.