Buffalo Sabres Sign Young Star To Long-Term Extension


The Buffalo Sabres emerged in the second half of the 2021/22 season as an incredibly fun team to watch, and while some of that is due to the infusion of talent like Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch, but it was the breakout season from first line centre Tage Thompson. In his first full season with the Sabres, Thompson put up 38 goals, 30 assists for 68 points in 78 games, and at just 24 years of age, it's clear that the Sabres see him as a huge part of their future.

Thompson showed elite ability as a goal scorer in 2021, and as this team continues to improve as a whole, it's safe to say the production should increase, and that's why today the Sabres announced that they've signed Tage to a 7-year contract worth $50 million. With Krebs, Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Owen Power and other young prospects coming through, this continual Sabres rebuild may finally have a light at the end of the tunnel, as they became one of the most exciting teams in the league at points in 2021.

This isn't a move that will change the fortunes of the franchise alone, but if the Sabres can continue to build their young talent with chemistry between them and lock them up long-term, this may become a place that players want to come play again, and potentially over the next two seasons.

Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports