The Buffalo Sabres are facing a critical decision regarding Alex Tuch, whose unrestricted free agent status looms this offseason. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen must determine whether to meet Tuch’s anticipated salary demand of around $10.5 million per year, trade the winger, or retain him as an “own rental” for the remainder of the season. This situation has placed significant pressure on the organization amid the team’s push for a playoff spot. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently provided clarity after initial remarks about the Sabres’ stance resulted in widespread confusion and criticism.
Friedman noted that the Sabres communicated to rival NHL front offices that, despite Tuch’s pending free agency,
“we’re not making our team worse.”
This statement drew strong reactions, including one source calling it the “dumbest comment you’ve ever made.” Friedman explained further on his 32 Thoughts podcast that while the conventional wisdom suggests a team should trade an impending free agent before the deadline to avoid losing him for nothing, Buffalo’s current competitive position invites a reassessment of that strategy.
“The general rule in that particular case is if you can’t sign him by the trade deadline, you trade him. You don’t lose him for nothing,”
Friedman said.
“But sometimes you have to turn the conventional wisdom on its head. You’re at a point in your organization where — I know they had a bad game on Thursday night when they lost to Pittsburgh — but generally they’ve been outstanding and they’re very much in the race.”
He added,
“Your fans are energized for the first time in 15 years. Your players are energized. Everything’s going well. You go for it. That’s a point where you throw out the conventional wisdom and you say, ‘You know what? We need this for our fans. We need this for our city. We need this for our organization.’”
In essence, Friedman’s correction points to the Sabres prioritizing their ongoing playoff push over short-term asset management, indicating they will not trade Tuch for draft picks or prospects that could weaken their shot at the postseason. Buffalo is acting like a buyer, not a seller, up to the March 6, 2026 NHL trade deadline.
Sabres Face Rising Roster Challenges Ahead of NHL Trade Deadline
Buffalo’s recent slump, losing three of their last four games before the NHL’s break for the 2026 Winter Olympics, coincides with an expanding injury list. Fortunately, the three-week hiatus comes at an opportune time to allow players to recover. Despite setbacks, the Sabres remain unexpected contenders in the Eastern Conference, intensifying the urgency to reinforce their roster.
General manager Kekalainen recognizes that upgrades are necessary if the Sabres want to end the longest playoff drought in league history. The team’s weaknesses have grown more obvious, placing pressure on management to address critical needs before the trade deadline.
The Sabres particularly require a top-six forward with offensive capabilities to support Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson, boosting a power play that has at times struggled to produce. Additionally, defensive depth is a pressing concern as Michael Kesselring, Zach Metsa, and Jacob Bryson have underperformed, while Conor Timmins remains sidelined due to injury. This situation forces head coach Lindy Ruff to log heavy ice time for key defensemen like Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson, and Bowen Byram, leading to visible signs of player fatigue.
Trading Tuch is Unlikely Without a Suitable NHL-Caliber Return
Given these roster deficiencies, trading Alex Tuch for future assets alone would harm Buffalo’s immediate competitiveness. Finding a replacement who matches Tuch’s impact during the current campaign would be challenging. Kekalainen is keeping an eye on the market to fill the team’s gaps but will not move Tuch without a compelling proposal.
Any trade involving Tuch would need to be a “hockey trade,” meaning Buffalo would require an established NHL player in return—ideally younger than the 29-year-old winger and under contract beyond this season. Such offers have not materialized, making a trade improbable.
Until then, the Sabres’ approach is to keep Tuch as an “own rental,” closely reassessing his status in the summer before free agency begins. The 6-foot-4 winger is a critical piece of Buffalo’s lineup, having accumulated 48 points (22 goals, 26 assists) in 56 games while contributing across all zones.
Current Priorities Focus on Postseason Success and Long-Term Plans
Kekalainen faces no easy choices as Buffalo strives to secure postseason hockey in downtown Buffalo for the first time in years. While no ideal solutions have emerged, the focus remains on maximizing the current roster’s potential and maintaining momentum through the playoffs.
The Sabres’ willingness to hold onto Tuch despite impending free agency signals a shift in organizational mindset—from cultivation for the future toward aggressiveness in the present. This change has rekindled hope among fans long starved for success and raises expectations that this playoff drought might finally be ending.
