Tage Thompson Says He Was 'Shocked' With Sabres Teammates Inaction After Getting KO'd

It wasn't a season to remember for the Buffalo Sabres, to put it bluntly. As they stumbled to their record-extending 14th consecutive season without a playoff appearance, the team was embroiled in not only trade rumors (and one big trade), but also chaos and controversy. 

Back on February 2nd, the Sabres' leading scorer, Tage Thompson, was knocked out cold on a vicious high-speed hit to the head by New Jersey Devils forward Stefan Noesen that sent Thompson's helmet flying and left him face down on the ice. 

In a new interview with Andy Strickland, Thompson admits he was "shocked" by the lack of response from his teammates after the hit.

Great conversation with Tage Thompson up on all platforms! Talks about getting knocked out and watching his teammates do nothing. 😬 ⁦@CamandStrick⁩ #Sabres pic.twitter.com/B30TubKybW

— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) June 17, 2025

"When the hit happened, I didn't even see him coming, I just blacked out, and came to and was helped off the ice," Thompson recalled.

Thompson says he was 'a little shocked' teammates didn't stand up for him after being knocked out cold

"I would have liked someone to step in, for sure. I was a little shocked by that."

Asked about their inaction after the game, Sabres players defended themselves.

"Our response is we won," said Jason Zucker. "[Noesen] made two plays that cost their team the win. So, we'll take that all day." The Sabres scored on the power play that ensued after the hit, and won the game 4-3. 

In the new interview, Thompson did go on to add that "Our team is great guys, and they all said, 'Sorry, we should have done something'... Lindy (Ruff, head coach) came in (to the locker room after the game) and said, 'If you see someone laying on the ice or someone gets hit like that, you better step in and do something.'"

Thompson is going into the third season of a seven-year, $50 million contract with the Sabres. He finished the season with 44 goals and 72 points in 76 games, and led the NHL with 37 even-strength goals. The 27-year-old star forward has averaged just a shade under 40 goals a year for the past four seasons.