Sabres’ Tage Thompson Sidelined with Injury

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres suffered a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, bringing their season record to 7-8-1. However, the biggest setback of the night was the injury sustained by Tage Thompson. Sabres coach Don Granato confirmed that Thompson will be out for a significant amount of time after being hit by a shot in the wrist area while killing a penalty.

Thompson’s Double Injury

This was Thompson’s second injury of the game. He initially left the ice early due to a cut on his leg but returned to play through it. Unfortunately, the second injury is one that he cannot play through.

A Major Loss for the Sabres

Thompson’s absence is a significant blow to the Sabres, who are struggling to replicate their goal-scoring success from last season when they finished third in the NHL. Thompson contributed 47 goals and 47 assists in the previous season and had already scored six goals and six assists in the 15 games leading up to this one.

The Sabres have already been dealing with absences from Jack Quinn, Dylan Cozens, and Alex Tuch earlier in the season. While Tuch is expected to return soon, Thompson’s absence will require adjustments in Buffalo’s lineup. Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt will take on more prominent roles to compensate for Thompson’s absence.

A look at the Tage Thompson injury as he blocked the puck with his glove…

@SabresPlays pic.twitter.com/OcYRvqlN1a

— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) November 15, 2023

Granato expressed confidence in Cozens and Mittelstadt’s ability to rise to the challenge. He acknowledged that the team is facing a greater adversity with the absence of Quinn, Tuch, and Thompson but believes that Cozens and Mittelstadt have a track record of responding well to challenges.

To address the depth issue caused by Thompson’s injury, the Sabres may consider calling up a forward from AHL Rochester. Brandon Biro has been called up earlier this season, and Jiri Kulich, the team’s 2022 first-round pick, has shown promise in the AHL. Additionally, rookie Zach Benson has returned to practice and could soon rejoin the lineup.

Despite potential reinforcements, Thompson’s injury is undoubtedly a setback for a team that has already struggled at the start of the season.

Required Reading

(Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today)