The Buffalo Sabres may not make the playoffs this season, but that doesn’t mean they’re not a team worth watching. The reason? Tage Thompson, who is starting to give Connor McDavid a run for his money when it comes to early conversations surrounding Hart Trophy candidates in the NHL.

Thompson has absolutely come into his own this season, breaking out like few have before him and already reaching the 30-goal mark on the season. His official NHL breakout season came last year when he scored 38 goals, but he’s easily going to eclipse that mark in his first season after signing a long-term, seven-year extension with the Sabres. Not only is Thompson not sitting on the massive contract, he’s playing well beyond its value.

What’s amazing about all this isn’t just that Thompson is becoming one of the best players to watch in the game today, but he was almost going to do all this for another team. Originally a St. Louis Blues player, he was moved to Buffalo as part of the Ryan O’Reilly trade. Buffalo received Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, Tage Thompson, a 2019 first-round pick (which ended up being 31st overall, Ryan Johnson) and a 2021 second-round pick (traded to Ottawa). Some thought Thompson was a throw-in, but then-GM Jason Botterill insisted he be included. Botterill is no longer with the team, but he should be getting a Christmas card every year for having Thompson included.

Did Buffalo Almost Botch the Deal?

After the trade was made, Thompson took some time to figure out his game. In fact, that trade was four-and-a-half years ago and it wasn’t until last season that Thompson started to use his size and speed. The Sabres apparently almost gave up on waiting as according to two media members who heard a story on his development, Buffalo almost pulled the trigger to send Thompson elsewhere.

During a recent episode of TSN Overdrive, hosts Jamie McLennan and Bryan Hayes were having a conversation about regrettable NHL trades. Thompson’s name came up and both mentioned they’d heard the same story about how the Sabres almost traded Tage Thompson before he broke out.

McLennan said he didn’t want to speak out of turn because he didn’t know all the details of the story, but he’d heard that Thompson was almost traded. Hayes immediately said he heard that same story and that Buffalo almost dumped Thompson for a third-round pick (McLennan heard it was like a third or a fifth). McLennan then said, “Buffalo would deny it now obviously.” He then added, “Like, can you imagine? This kid is six foot seven, he’s got range. I watched him live the other day… He’s kind of arrived. I think what he’s realizing is that in today’s game, he can use his size. He can use his strength, and he can use his shot.”

Thompson has clearly figured it out and has arrived. He scored his third hat trick of the season on Friday night and he has 30 goals in 36 games in 2022-23. He was chosen as an All-Star and his new contract is looking like an absolute bargain.