Elliotte Friedman, a respected NHL insider, has dampened Edmonton Oilers fans’ hopes of acquiring Buffalo Sabres alternate captain Alex Tuch before the March 6 trade deadline. On his 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman stated that the Sabres have no plans to trade their key winger, effectively ending speculation about Tuch joining Connor McDavid on Edmonton’s roster this season.
Friedman emphasized,
“Buffalo is not a seller. They’re going for it again,”
and added,
“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.”
This firm stance from Buffalo signals their intention to keep Tuch as they push toward a playoff berth.
Why the Rumors of an Oilers-Tuch Deal Gained Traction
The trade chatter linking Tuch to the Oilers began in October when insiders identified Edmonton as a prime candidate to pursue the talented winger. Jeff Marek speculated on the potential fit last year, saying,
“He still hasn’t re-signed; it’s not a great situation, you wonder about players leaving. How good would Alex Tuch look riding shotgun with Connor McDavid, could that be the player the Oilers are looking at here?”
David Pagnotta echoed these thoughts by predicting that if the Sabres faltered in the playoff race,
“the Oilers would be one of them”
attempting to acquire Tuch.
On paper, the connection seemed ideal. Tuch, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 219 pounds, combined size with a proven scoring touch, having netted 36 goals last season. Analysts regarded him as the power-forward Edmonton lacked, an effective partner who could battle in front of the net while McDavid showcased his speed and playmaking skills. By December, The Athletic ranked Edmonton among the top three teams most likely to chase Tuch as the trade deadline approached.
The Potential Impact of a McDavid-Tuch-Hyman Line
Imagining McDavid flanked by Tuch and Zach Hyman on the top line created excitement. This trio promised a combination of size, speed, skill, and scoring ability that could become one of the NHL’s deadliest units. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins moving to center the third line would have strengthened the Oilers’ depth down the middle. Also, Tuch’s manageable $4.75 million cap hit this season made the idea financially plausible.
However, the critical hurdle was Buffalo’s willingness to trade. As Friedman reiterated,
“So 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.”
This underscored the improbability of Edmonton securing Tuch at the deadline.
Buffalo’s Decision Driven by Rising Playoff Prospects
The Sabres currently hold the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 33-19 record. After enduring a 14-year playoff drought—the longest active streak in North American professional sports—they are determined not to jeopardize their postseason chances by trading a cornerstone player.
Friedman highlighted the mindset behind this move, citing Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams’ previous experience with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“Don’t forget that Kevyn Adams, he has been in this position before,”
said Friedman.
“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 is reportedly prepared to adopt the same “all-in” approach in Buffalo, even at the risk of losing Tuch to free agency this 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.
The Gamble Behind Keeping Alex Tuch This Season
Buffalo’s choice to retain Tuch without finalizing an extension is a notable risk. Contract talks have stalled as Tuch reportedly seeks a $10-11 million annual salary, a figure the Sabres are unwilling to meet. As his current contract expires this summer, Buffalo is essentially using Tuch as a rental player to strengthen their roster for the playoff push.
If they fail to re-sign him, the Sabres risk losing Tuch for no return when he becomes a free agent on July 1. For Adams and the organization, however, ending the long playoff drought appears to justify the gamble.
Oilers Will Need to Shift Focus Before Deadline
With Tuch off the market, the Edmonton Oilers must explore other trade options before the deadline to bolster their roster. Sitting second in the Pacific Division with a 29-23 record, General Manager Stan Bowman faces mounting pressure to add scoring depth for a meaningful postseason run.
The long-anticipated pairing of Tuch alongside McDavid will have to wait at least until free agency opens in July, provided Edmonton decides to pursue the winger then.
