Team USA's Biggest Mistake at 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament Revealed
Photo credit: NHL
In an unexpected move by GM Bill Guerin, Tage Thompson was invited to join Team USA in Boston at the Four Nations Face-Off as a possible replacement for whoever was injured.
This was after Team USA had previously snubbed the Buffalo Sabres superstar in the selection process.
Instead of finding room for Thompson who had a career year in 2022-2023, and is on fire again this season, they opted to go with Dylan Larkin and Vinnie Trocheck.
It seems like a huge mistake, as leaving a 6'6" center at home when you're playing against one of the best international teams crafted by Don Sweeney, that you'd leave him home.
Thompson has had a stellar year, scoring 48 points( 26 G, 22 A) in 48 games with a terrible Sabres team.
Instead, GM Bill Guerin has done what a lot of the GMs in the NHL do. Pass over younger stars in favor of established, or declining veteran players like Chris Kreider, whose better years have passed him by.
Thompson has a great shot which we've seen him utilize over, and over again to get past some of the best goalies in the league.
His size is an issue for opposing teams, who will have a problem shutting him down, as he can literally utilize his speed, and strength to get to the dirty areas of the ice.
Even Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceOff recognized what Thompson would bring to Team USA instead of someone like Kreider.
Frank Seravalli: I had Chris Kreider out [on my roster]. I just found the way that Tage Thompson has played to this point has been dominant, and I think it's really tough to deny him a spot with the size that he brings and the different elements.
And now, Bill Guerin is without a Stanley Cup in the NHL, and without a Four Nations Face-Off Championship to his name.
If anything, this is just another red flag, of multiple red flags which should be a fireable offense for the Minnesota Wild and Team USA GM.
Team USA was unable to stop Connor McDavid, and maybe, just maybe Tage Thompson could've been the one to do it.
Now, it's a coulda-woulda-shoulda scenario.
A sad one at that.
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
