The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday rewarded Tage Thompson for his breakout 38-goal season, signing the center to a seven-year, $50 million contract extension.
Thompson, 24, is entering the final season of a three-year, $4.2 million deal. He could’ve become a restricted free agent following the 2022-23 campaign.
The Sabres, of course, view Thompson, their leading scorer last season, as one of their cornerstones of the future.
The 6-foot-7 Thompson emerged as perhaps the NHL’s biggest surprise after coach Don Granato shifted him from right wing to center at the end of training camp almost a year ago. He quickly seized his fresh opportunity, showcasing newfound confidence in the middle and developing into a dynamic scoring threat.
The American had never scored more than eight goals in a season prior to last year.
With just a $1.4 million salary cap hit last year, Thompson, who also registered a career-high 68 points in 78 games, ranked among the league’s biggest bargains.
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