"Tage Thompson Prioritizes Sabres Playoff Push Over Team USA Olympic Dream: 'Playoffs at the Forefront'"
Buffalo, NY (Sept 8, 2025) – Tage Thompson is setting his sights on making the 2026 Winter Olympics for Team USA, but he’s clear about where his priorities lie. The Buffalo Sabres’ star forward is determined to break the team’s 14-year postseason drought — the longest active streak in the NHL — and put Buffalo back in the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. While the Olympics remain a dream for the 27-year-old, getting the Sabres to the postseason is his main focus for the 2025-26 season.
Thompson Balances Olympic Dreams with Sabres Goals
"I definitely want to be an Olympian, but getting the Sabres back into the playoffs is always at the forefront," Thompson told Michael Russo of The Athletic. "It’s hard not to think about the Olympics, but once we get into the grind of the season, it’s always about the team first."
Thompson has made his Olympic aspirations clear in interviews all summer, but his dedication to Buffalo's success shines through. Despite his Olympic ambitions, he knows that reaching the playoffs with the Sabres is a huge step toward securing his place with Team USA.
A Defining Moment: Thompson Shines at World Championship
After being initially snubbed from the 4 Nations Face-Off roster, Thompson quickly showed his worth to Team USA during the 2025 IIHF World Championship. He scored nine points (six goals and three assists) in 10 games, with a key contribution being his overtime winner in the final against Switzerland, securing the gold medal for the United States.
However, Thompson remains humble about the significance of the moment, acknowledging that a single play doesn’t define his career. "It was an awesome moment, something I’ll remember forever," Thompson said. "But at the same time, I don’t believe it solidifies me."
Thompson’s Growth with Buffalo: From Bust to Star
Tage Thompson’s rise in Buffalo has been nothing short of spectacular. Four years ago, he was a player facing a bust label after struggling to produce with just 35 points in 145 games. Then, in the 2021-22 season, he broke out with 38 goals in 78 games. Since then, Thompson has posted an impressive 290 points over the last four years, including 158 goals, ranking among the top 10 in the league.
His ability to play both center and wing for the Sabres has made him a versatile asset. This versatility could make him an ideal candidate for Team USA when the final Olympic roster is decided.
What’s Next for Thompson in 2025-26?
Heading into the new season, Thompson is more motivated than ever. He’s coming off a strong finish to the 2024-25 campaign with the Sabres and followed it up with a standout performance at the World Championship. His next goal is to make sure he earns a spot on the Team USA roster for the 2026 Olympics in Italy.
With the Sabres having traded JJ Peterka, Thompson’s offensive firepower will be even more crucial this season. He’s expected to make a serious push for the 50-goal milestone in 2025-26, and his strong offensive output will be key to Buffalo's success.
While it may seem that making the playoffs could be a more difficult feat than securing a spot on Team USA, Thompson is determined to do both — and with his talent and drive, anything is possible.
Thompson's Commitment: Playoffs Above All
"Making the Olympics is a huge goal for me, but right now, my focus is on getting the Sabres back in the playoffs. We’ve been out too long, and that’s where my energy is. I’ll keep pushing to represent Team USA, but breaking the playoff drought with Buffalo is my number one priority this season." – Tage Thompson
Red Sox switch outfield alignment with Jarren Duran, Nick Sogard an hour before game Monday
Nick Sogard is in right field for the Red Sox on Monday after all. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty Images
Jarren Duran hasn’t started a game in right field since 2022 and Nick Sogard hasn’t played left field all year at any level, so it was a bit surprising to see the Red Sox starting them at those spots in their original lineup Monday night. Then, just over an hour before first pitch, Boston flip-flopped their outfielders.
Duran will play left field against the Athletics and Sogard will play right field behind Garrett Crochet in the opener of a three-game series against the Athletics, according to a revised lineup put out by the team. Every hitter is in his original spot in the batting order. Duran is leading off for the first time in three games and Sogard, the offensive hero of Sunday’s win, is hitting eighth.
The original Sox lineup had Duran making his first start in right field since August 2022 and Sogard, while making his first career appearance in the outfield, playing a position he never played in Triple-A this season. The unusual configuration is a result of the Red Sox being without Roman Anthony (oblique) and Wilyer Abreu (calf), who are on the injured list, as well as Rob Refsnyder, who is day-to-day after slamming into the ground on a diving catch attempt Sunday.
Cora said that Sogard’s switch-hitting ability made him a good option against A’s righty Luis Morales and that the club was comfortable with him in the outfield despite limited exposure (just 27 innings in right) on the grass this year in Worcester.
“He’s a switch-hitter. He has done it before,” Cora said. “It’s not that I pull it out of a hat.”
“I asked (Duran), ‘I need you to play right field, and he said, ”Whatever you need.’ We put him there. Sogard has played left field. He’s back home (near his hometown) so go out there, get a few at-bats and get Nate (Eaton) late in the game to play defense.”
Refsnyder could be available as a pinch-hitter.
“Day-to-day. He’s available, but a little banged up,” Cora said. “He hit the ground very hard.”
UPDATED RED SOX LINEUP:
1) LF Jarren Duran
2) 3B Alex Bregman
3) SS Trevor Story
4) 1B Nathaniel Lowe
5) 2B Romy Gonzalez
6) DH Masataka Yoshida
7) CF Ceddanne Rafaela
8) RF Nick Sogard
9) C Carlos Narváez
