Debating placement of Sabres stars on ESPN’s Top 100 NHL players list

Writer Tim Daniels debates the placements of Buffalo Sabres stars Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson on ESPN's Top 100 NHL players list for the 2026-27 season. Dahlin and Thompson were the only two Sabres players to make the annual ranking, with both landing inside the top 50.

Daniels argues that Dahlin is perfectly ranked at No. 18 after finishing third in Norris Trophy voting last season. However, he suggests that Thompson is ranked slightly too high at No. 31, arguing that the forward belongs closer to the 40-to-50 range due to defensive and faceoff struggles.