Tage Thompson
Tage Thompson is Buffalo's top-line forward and first-unit power-play shooter, but whether he plays center or wing and who skates with him are still changing from game to game.
Role
Reported lines are projections, and I did not fetch a live line page (Daily Faceoff included). Inside the Rink's preview for the 10/24 game at Washington (published about a day before this search) had him on line 1 with Jason Zucker and Konsta Helenius, though it did not label his position. Its 10/21 preview had Josh Doan, Jiri Kulich and Thompson. The Hockey News' estimated lines for the same Washington game had Doan, Peyton Krebs and Thompson. Inside the Rink had him on the first power-play unit both times, with Quinn, Benson, Ostlund and Dahlin. I did not find his ice time this season. Last season's 217 TOI came over 11 GP. Competition for the work comes from Kulich, Josh Norris, Krebs, Noah Ostlund and Konsta Helenius at center, and from Doan, Zucker, Benson and Quinn on the wings.
He is on the first power-play unit and starting on the top line. Inside the Rink's 10/24 preview cites Box Score Junkie numbers of 56.9% Corsi-for and 66.9 shot attempts for per 60, with six goals on 4.7 expected. The Hockey News has him at 10 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 PTS. He also had a goal and an assist in the win over Philadelphia.
His linemates keep changing, with Kulich, Krebs, Zucker and Helenius all listed beside him in different projections, so there is no stable line. His position is also unsettled. Sabres coverage from the offseason said he struggled in last season's playoffs until Buffalo moved him to the wing, and he has said he prefers center. He scored six goals on 4.7 expected, so some of his scoring may be luck. Buffalo is 4-4-2.
Where analysts split
The open question is whether Thompson plays center or wing and who centers the top line. Offseason Sabres Noise coverage argued he should play wing, with Buffalo adding a center. Early-season projections have shown him with Kulich, Krebs or with Zucker and Helenius, and one page lists him at left wing beside Kulich and Doan. I found no coach comment on a settled answer.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
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