Lindy Ruff assesses Tage Thompson’s availability for the USA gold medal celebration

ByNBAUSA



Buffalo Sabres Head coach Lindy Ruff isn’t exactly sure when Tage Thompson will return after helping out Team USA won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. Team USA defeated Team Canada 2-1 in overtime in a hard-fought game.

With the gold medal win, Team USA ended a 46-year title drought. The previous American team to reach the top of the podium was the famous 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team.

Ruff isn’t bringing Thompson back into the lineup after winning a gold medal with Team USA, and admits the celebration could delay his return.

Buffalo head coach spoke to journalists on Monday and joked that he wasn’t sure if any of the American players would be ready to play this week after all the festivities.

“I don’t know if any of the American guys are going to be able to play this week,” Ruff said in a nonchalant tone after Monday’s practice. “Obviously, we’ll see. He was supposed to be back in the country last night, so we’ll find out when hopefully he’ll be available to play.”

After the game, the President of the United States, Donald Trump phoned the dressing room to call the players in the State of the Union address on Tuesday night. He also told them they were welcome to stay in Washington for a visit to the White House on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the win carried extra weight for Thompson. After being left off the 4-nation Face-Off roster a year ago, he earned his spot on Team USA’s Olympic squad and finished with three goals and an assist in six games at the Milan Cortina Games.

With the Olympic break now over, Ruff knows how important Thompson is to the Sabers as they try to end a 14-season playoff drought. Thompson has been one of the team’s most productive players this season.

Through 57 games, the 28-year-old has 30 goals and 29 assists. After the break, his season total is 59 points.

The Buffalo Sabers are 32-19-6 and are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division behind the Detroit Red Wings. They currently they hold the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and will return to action against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.





2026-02-24 08:17:00

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