Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency following the 2025-26 season, but his hope is to stay in Buffalo long-term, per NHL reporter Justin Alpert.
Speaking at his end-of-year media availability, Tuch said he loves playing in Buffalo and wants to be a part of a winning culture for the team. While the Sabres have now missed the playoffs in 14 consecutive seasons, they do have a solid core consisting of Tuch, Jason Zucker, Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and more. For his part, Tuch tied a career high with 36 goals and finished with 67 points while playing all 82 games this season. Tuch has flourished offensively since coming to Buffalo from the Golden Knights, scoring 243 points in 281 games.
Tuch, 28, has one year left on his current deal that is paying a team-friendly $4.5MM. Whether he signs an extension this summer with Buffalo or with another club next summer, he will no doubt be in line for a raise. While Tuch noted he’ll have to discuss things with his family, the Upstate New York native seems interested in remaining with the Sabres and helping to end their long playoff drought. Tuch said the organization has the capabilities to turn things around. He added that individual success isn’t enough to represent team success, and to his point, scoring goals wasn’t an issue for the team. While the Sabres finished 10th in goals for on the year (265), they also finished third-to-last in goals against (287).
Fellow forward Ryan McLeod, 25, is also interested in staying in Buffalo. Set for restricted free agency this summer, McLeod told reporters today he’d like to remain with the team and help the Sabres take the next step. In his first year with the club after coming over from the Oilers, McLeod enjoyed a career year with 20 goals, 33 assists and 53 points, shattering his previous career highs. He added a strong 52.5 percent faceoff percentage and served as a key part of the team’s penalty kill. Like Tuch, he is due a large raise on his expiring $2.1MM AAV contract.
Both those guys will have lots of suitors if they go to market.
Buf has to lock these two in. They have skill already. It’s the expectation of losing that is killing them. When people say they want to stay and build a winning culture and they can play well… no brainer here.
I think the Capitals would use rest of their cap to grab McLeod as 3C
I don’t see McLeod going anywhere. Sabres have the cap space (over $30mil). How the Sabres played without Norris in the lineup & they have younger centers in Kulich, Ostlund & Helenius. Buffalo could also trade Norris in the offseason for other needs.