42. Tage Thompson

Tage Thompson began his career in St. Louis, where the American played only one year before he was traded to Buffalo, and it appears that Thompson’s ascendence in recent years makes it appear that the Sabres won the trade.

Thompson’s first three years in the Sabres organization, though a lot of that time was spent in the AHL, and when he was with the parent club, the Center was mostly on lower lines.  This changed in 2021/22 when he broke out with a 68-Point year, and in the following season, Thompson went to another level, scoring 47 Goals and 94 Points, with a 14^th place finish in Hart voting.  Unfortunatly, Thompson regressed in 2023-24 with only 56 Points and likely played most of the season injured.

If Thompson regains his 2022-23 form, he will jump up in the standings.