St. Louis Blues Prospect Profile: Tage Thompson
By Todd Panula
The St. Louis Blues didn’t have everyone behind them with the idea of drafting Tage Thompson, but he may quickly change minds if given the chance.
When Tage Thompson was selected by the St. Louis Blues with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, it was met with optimism by some and with skepticism by others.
Personally, there was nothing to not like about the idea of the player and what he could bring. However, it seemed as though he was going to be a long term project that might not see the NHL for a good five years or so.
It was hard to get a read on Thompson based on his up and down production at different levels. At the U-16 level, he scored more than a point per game.
When he joined the US National Team Program, he scored 14 points in 25 games. However, in a full 64 game season at the junior level, he faltered a bit with only 26 points.
Thompson then turned it back around at the NCAA level. He scored 14 goals and 32 points in 36 games at the University of Connecticut.
Even so, that’s college. He still seemed like he was going to be a long term project. Then he showed up at the 2016 St. Louis Blues Prospect Camp.
Thompson assuaged some of the fears about him and made some think he may actually have a shot at becoming a professional sooner, rather than later.
Thompson was said to have needed work on footwork and some worried that he was just going to be another large body without the skill to back it up.
They, including myself, turned out to be rather wrong. Thompson was a very smooth skater during the drills, outskating players with more experience. For someone with his height, he was fairly light on his feet.
There was also a question of his stickhandling ability. He ended up shining much more in that aspect as well. He slipped through two and three defenders quite often. He would toedrag like T.J. Oshie or David Perron and maneuver into space with ease despite his size much like Colton Parakyo.
While those are lofty names to be associated with, I actually don’t think it’s too much to ask to think of him in those terms.
The horse can’t be put before the cart of course. Thompson still needs development time. He is only 18 afterall.
He does still need to work on his footwork, just to pick up a little bit of speed. They always say that speed can’t be taught, but there are things you can do to make yourself quicker and those are the things that Thompson will need to focus on.
He also still needs to get stronger. At 6’5, 196 lbs is a little bit thin. He did not shy away from the physical aspects of the game during the 2016 prospect camp, but that does not mean that he might not get pushed around by players in the NHL who probably average 200 lbs or more at his height.
Some of these things will simply come with age. Nobody is their fully developed self in terms of strength, mental acuity, mobility or awareness at 18. As he ages naturally, he’s going to get stronger and smarter.
Couple that natural progression with a mind and body that already has the advantage of having a father who played in the NHL and you might see a player capable of much more than any of us thought when he was drafted.
Thompson has a little knowledge of the Blues system already too. His father coached in Peoria for four years when they were the Blues’ minor league affiliate, so Thompson is already connected a bit to the team and its fans.
He’s already had to prove himself at the college level after being overlooked by UConn and placed on the fourth line. “I remember being pretty [mad],” Thompson said. “I wanted to show everyone they had me in the wrong spot.”
Add all that up and you’ve got a player that is hungry and ready to show what he’s got. He’s got the work ethic to prove he belongs and he’s got the confidence in knowing the Blues really wanted him since they traded up to 26 from 28 to ensure those two teams didn’t snag him.
Again, expectations must be cooled. He’s still a teenager. He will likely spend another season in college before being seriously given consideration for a pro level spot. However, given his play – he scored at least seven goals during the four days of camp and set up a handful more – he has definitely earned an invite to the professional training camp in the fall (if NCAA rules allow that).
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Even if he is to return to UConn, he would greatly benefit from getting practice time against the guys he’ll be competing with in the future. Time will tell how long it takes Thompson to realize his potential. He’s clearly got the talent despite what his detractors say. If nothing else, he has gone from someone not expected to even be a blip for half a decade to someone who could well be in the mix in a year or two.