Player Discussion Tage Thompson 1

[Chainshot]

Bambi returned last night.

 

[sabremike]

He’s getting the same development patience, if not more, that Thompson got. Unless you’re talking about the fans on these boards and their need to see instant success.

One is being handed an NHL roster spot his performance says he hasn't earned, the other gets to ride busses to Bridgeport, Hershey and Laval so I don't understand how you came to that conclusion.

 

[Fezzy126]

After praising this kid for weeks about his play improving he finally gets his shot on the big line and is a big dud...

I wonder if they give him another shot put him back on the bottom 6.

 

[OkimLom]

One is being handed an NHL roster spot his performance says he hasn't earned, the other gets to ride busses to Bridgeport, Hershey and Laval so I don't understand how you came to that conclusion.

Did you just read the first few words of what I said?

 

[Gordo21]

After praising this kid for weeks about his play improving he finally gets his shot on the big line and is a big dud...

I wonder if they give him another shot put him back on the bottom 6.

Jesus,

He had one period. Then 23 took over and was a hot mess as well. The patience around here is laughable.

 

[Buffaloed]

One is being handed an NHL roster spot his performance says he hasn't earned, the other gets to ride busses to Bridgeport, Hershey and Laval so I don't understand how you came to that conclusion.

One has been rushed to the NHL while the other is being patiently developed in the minors.

 

[debaser66]

Jesus,

He had one period. Then 23 took over and was a hot mess as well. The patience around here is laughable.

I agree with your sentiment
But it seems the coaching staff didnt have much patience either.

 

[zuikan]

Eichel and Skinner have turned it over plenty recently. Housley can’t get out of his own way with his knee jerk reactions.

 

[Fezzy126]

Jesus,

He had one period. Then 23 took over and was a hot mess as well. The patience around here is laughable.

For the record I've been one of Tage's biggest advocates for the past month. I was merely asking what people thought the coaches would do. I assume there's more to it than just the play on the ice, such as the trio's communication while on the ice, their communication on the bench, and their tendencies when moving/cycling in the offensive zone.

And outside of a few knee jerk reactions, I've also seen many of this board's posters change their opinions as well about Tage, so I'm not sure who you're referring to regarding patience with the kid.

 

[Gordo21]

For the record I've been one of Tage's biggest advocates for the past month. I was merely asking what people thought the coaches would do. I assume there's more to it than just the play on the ice, such as the trio's communication while on the ice, their communication on the bench, and their tendencies when moving/cycling in the offensive zone.

And outside of a few knee jerk reactions, I've also seen many of this board's posters change their opinions as well about Tage, so I'm not sure who you're referring to regarding patience with the kid.

Like you said, probably just knee jerk reactions.

Personally, I wanted to see Thompson with Reinhart on a second line

I would have put someone with more experience with Eichel and Skinner.

 

[CatsforReinhart]

I never thought Tage fit with Eichel and Skinner in the first place. Skinner is a shoot first guy and so is Tage. There is not enough puck to go around.

Tage would actually fit better with Reinhart at center. IMO. Tage needs a pass first center who will set him up to shoot or give his a pass that will give him a chance to break past a defender with his patented toe drags.

Eichel and Skinner would be better with someone like Girgs on the wing who can dig pucks out of the corners and win battles along the wall.

 

[Gordo21]

I never thought Tage fit with Eichel and Skinner in the first place. Skinner is a shoot first guy and so is Tage. There is not enough puck to go around.

Tage would actually fit better with Reinhart at center. IMO. Tage needs a pass first center who will set him up to shoot or give his a pass that will give him a chance to break past a defender with his patented toe drags.

Eichel and Skinner would be better with someone like Girgs on the wing who can dig pucks out of the corners and win battles along the wall.

Agree

If only I could hit like. lol

 

[Fezzy126]

I never thought Tage fit with Eichel and Skinner in the first place. Skinner is a shoot first guy and so is Tage. There is not enough puck to go around.

Tage would actually fit better with Reinhart at center. IMO. Tage needs a pass first center who will set him up to shoot or give his a pass that will give him a chance to break past a defender with his patented toe drags.

Eichel and Skinner would be better with someone like Girgs on the wing who can dig pucks out of the corners and win battles along the wall.

This is an over-simplistic look on how chemistry works.

That 70's line featured 3 north/south, shoot first type of players. On paper they should have never worked together.

P. Kane & Panarin are two players that love to dominate puck possession in the offensive zone, yet together they propelled each other to career high production.

Alternatively, on paper E. Kane is a volume shooter that never quite figured out how to create higher quality chances, while Eichel is a playmaking distributor that creates high quality opportunities. Theoretically they should have been a match made in heaven but they never quite figured out how to compliment each other while on the ice.

As I alluded to above, there's many things that contribute to chemistry, such as communication, practice habits, ability to adjust, and even camaraderie with each other. They may not be a fit, but I'd say that we haven't seen enough of them to make that determination yet.

However, experimenting with alternative wingers would allow Reinhart to 'fix' our middle six, which is exactly what Phil's staff should be doing.

 

[CatsforReinhart]

This is an over-simplistic look on how chemistry works.

That 70's line featured 3 north/south, shoot first type of players. On paper they should have never worked together.

P. Kane & Panarin are two players that love to dominate puck possession in the offensive zone, yet together they propelled each other to career high production.

Alternatively, on paper E. Kane is a volume shooter that never quite figured out how to create higher quality chances, while Eichel is a playmaking distributor that creates high quality opportunities. Theoretically they should have been a match made in heaven but they never quite figured out how to compliment each other while on the ice.

As I alluded to above, there's many things that contribute to chemistry, such as communication, practice habits, ability to adjust, and even camaraderie with each other. They may not be a fit, but I'd say that we haven't seen enough of them to make that determination yet.

However, experimenting with alternative wingers would allow Reinhart to 'fix' our middle six, which is exactly what Phil's staff should be doing.

Its not really an oversimplification. Tage is a puck hog. Its normal to put passers with shooters. It just really is that simple.

How ever you feel about line combinations you do have to wonder why Reinhart wasn't given a shot at center. Its like Housley was trying to lose.

 

[Fezzy126]

Its not really an oversimplification. Tage is a puck hog. Its normal to put passers with shooters. It just really is that simple.

How ever you feel about line combinations you do have to wonder why Reinhart wasn't given a shot at center. Its like Housley was trying to lose.

Simple? It's not, and I pointed out specific examples to counter this, as well as reasons why it isn't simple. But it is how I build my lines in NHL '19, so I get it.

As for Tage being a puck hog, I see we found your narrative... The greatest improvement in his development has been his adjustments on the breakout and in the transition game. In the last few weeks, he routinely provides a breakout option in close support position in the defensive zone during uncontrolled breakouts. He has been consistently turning and making the short quick outlet from this position. Then, once in the neutral zone he has provided good puck support and found passing options to gain the zone. These are the exact types of subtle plays that Reinhart gets praised for.

But he does like to shoot a lot, and once in a while he does try and play hero ball, thus reaffirming people's preconceived narratives about the kid.

 

[PatrikBerglund]

After praising this kid for weeks about his play improving he finally gets his shot on the big line and is a big dud...

I wonder if they give him another shot put him back on the bottom 6.

Being on the big line also means he'll face the other team's best defensive unit

 

[sabremike]

Bambi returned last night.

The Canes have just been fined 10k by the league for illegal use of a headlight.

 

[CatsforReinhart]

And here me

Simple? It's not, and I pointed out specific examples to counter this, as well as reasons why it isn't simple. But it is how I build my lines in NHL '19, so I get it.

As for Tage being a puck hog, I see we found your narrative... The greatest improvement in his development has been his adjustments on the breakout and in the transition game. In the last few weeks, he routinely provides a breakout option in close support position in the defensive zone during uncontrolled breakouts. He has been consistently turning and making the short quick outlet from this position. Then, once in the neutral zone he has provided good puck support and found passing options to gain the zone. These are the exact types of subtle plays that Reinhart gets praised for.

But he does like to shoot a lot, and once in a while he does try and play hero ball, thus reaffirming people's preconceived narratives about the kid.

And here me thinking Hull and Oates was a real thing

 

[Doohickie]

Its not really an oversimplification. Tage is a puck hog.

He started out as a center. I wouldn't mind taking a look at him at C, just to see what happens.

 

[Doohickie]

Being on the big line also means he'll face the other team's best defensive unit

In fact, 3C might be a good spot because of this.

 

[PatrikBerglund]

In fact, 3C might be a good spot because of this.

Can't possibly get any worse than the past 15 games, huh?

 

[sabremike]

OH. MY. GOD. TAGE~! is doing his first ever Buffalo area signing at the Dave and Thomas superstore on February 11th!!!! I am going to go so I can love and hug him and ask him to show me how to do THE MAGIC TOE DRAG

 

[Gordo21]

He's one of the actual bright spots on this team

OH. MY. GOD. TAGE~! is doing his first ever Buffalo area signing at the Dave and Thomas superstore on February 11th!!!! I am going to go so I can love and hug him and ask him to show me how to do THE MAGIC TOE DRAG

He's one of the actual bright spots on this team. I don't care if you ask him out on a date.

 

[Moskau]

He's one of the actual bright spots on this team

Holy shit. People really can see anything they want to.

 

[Zip15]

Holy ****. People really can see anything they want to.

He is our worst skater if you go by GAR, though he's neck-and-neck with Sobotka for that...honor? I, for one, am enjoying our great depth this season.