With only six days left before the NHL Trade Deadline, uncertainty remains around Alex Tuch‘s future with the Buffalo Sabres. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently forecasted that the Sabres are likely to retain their top winger through the deadline as they continue their playoff push.
On the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman expressed his belief that Buffalo is not planning to trade Tuch despite contract negotiations hitting a standstill. He emphasized the team’s intention to remain competitive and keep their key player for the rest of the season.
“I wanted to mention Alex Tuch,” Friedman said. “Buffalo is not a seller. They’re going for it again. I could make myself look really bad here, but the betting on Tuch is that he stays in Buffalo next week, whether there’s an extension or not.”
He reinforced his prediction by noting that even without a new contract agreement, Tuch would likely remain in Buffalo at least until the trade deadline passes.
“Like even if they don’t sign him, and I would suspect at this point in time, they’re not, I think he stays,” he added. “So as I record this pod late Thursday night/Friday morning, my bet is he stays, and even if he doesn’t have an extension, which he probably won’t by next week. Again, things can change, but that’s my call right now.”
Tuch’s current seven-year contract worth $33.25 million expires at the end of this season, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Without a new deal, the Sabres face the risk of losing a key contributor for no return during free agency.
However, with Buffalo currently holding its first playoff spot in over a decade, General Manager Kevyn Adams appears willing to accept this risk in hopes of securing a postseason berth.
Kevyn Adams’ Past Moves Suggest Confidence in Current Strategy
Friedman highlighted Adams’ previous experiences as an indicator that the Sabres’ management understands the stakes and is prepared to move forward accordingly.
“Don’t forget that Kevyn Adams, he has been in this position before,” Friedman noted. “When Columbus won their first ever playoff series, beating Tampa, they had some UFAs, and Kevyn was in the position where he just said, ‘You know what, we’re going for it.’ And if we lose guys, we lose guys, and that’s what they did.”
Adams played a significant role in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 2019 playoff run when the team chose to keep several soon-to-be free agents rather than trading them away for future assets. This bold decision ultimately paid off with a historic series win over the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning, although the players did depart that summer.
“He understands this. He knows how to handle it, and I think that’s the way he will do it in Buffalo,” Friedman added.
Currently positioned at 33-19, the Sabres occupy the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. This marks a major turnaround after missing the playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons, the longest active drought in North American professional sports.
Alex Tuch has been instrumental in Buffalo’s resurgence. The 29-year-old winger has recorded 22 goals and 48 points in 56 games this season, trailing only teammate Tage Thompson in scoring.
The main obstacle to a contract extension lies in financial terms. Tuch reportedly seeks a salary around $10 to $11 million per season, which is more than double his current $4.75 million cap hit. The Sabres have yet to match this demand, contributing to the ongoing contract stalemate.
The significance of this situation extends beyond just one player; it reflects Buffalo’s broader decision to compete aggressively this season despite potential long-term risks. How the front office balances immediate playoff ambitions with upcoming roster decisions could greatly influence the franchise’s trajectory after breaking a decade-long playoff drought.
