Buffalo Sabres’ Tage Thompson to miss ‘significant time’ with upper-body injury

The Buffalo Sabres announced forward Tage Thompson will not return to tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins after suffering an upper-body injury.

Following the 5-2 loss, Sabres head coach Don Granato said that Thompson ‘will miss significant time.’

Thompson was injured twice during the game. Once during the first period after losing his footing and going down awkwardly on his leg, he left in some discomfort to the locker room but later returned. Then, he blocked a shot with his wrist during the second period which is ultimately what put him out of the game.

Thompson logged one shot on goal in 5:38 of ice time.

The 26-year-old has tallied six goals and six assists for 12 points in 15 games this season. He sits second among Sabres’ skaters trailing Jeff Skinner.

Last season, the 6-foot-7 center has taken the league by storm, notching a team-leading and career-high 47 goals and 47 assists for 94 points in 78 games during the 2022-23 campaign. Part of those 47 goals also includes an astonishing five-goal night which he concluded in December against the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

Initially a No. 26 overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues, Thompson was dealt to the Sabres in the Ryan O’Reilly deal. During the 2021-22 season, Thompson emerged from the abyss and notched 38 goals and 68 points in 78 games. During the off-season, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams signed the Glendale, Arizona product to a monster seven-year, $50,000,000 contract. The contract has an average annual value of $7,100,000 which has taken effect this season.

The Sabres are currently 7-7-1 in 15 games and rank seventh in the Atlantic Division. Expect an update on Thompson tomorrow as the Sabres gear up for games on Friday and Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks.