The Buffalo Sabres have been spinning their wheels for quite some time and appear headed for a summer that will define the franchise’s future. The team has plenty of attractive roster pieces but will need to make some significant contract decisions in the coming months regarding forward Alex Tuch, among others. Tuch is just over a year away from unrestricted free agency and can sign an extension on July 1. Buffalo will need to make a tough decision in the next few weeks about whether to sign Tuch to a lucrative extension or trade him away for what would hopefully be a sizable return.
The 29-year-old is entering the final season of a seven-year, $33.25MM contract he signed in July 2018 with the Vegas Golden Knights. He was eventually traded along with other assets for center Jack Eichel, and despite the Golden Knights winning the cup with Eichel on board, Tuch has proven to be an excellent addition for the Sabres. Tuch’s $4.75MM cap hit has represented a massive bargain for Buffalo over the last four seasons, as the Syracuse, New York native has been nearly a point-per-game player, accumulating 106 goals and 137 assists in 281 games with the Sabres. Although Tuch hasn’t been able to replicate his success from 2022-23, when he scored 36 goals and 43 assists in 74 games, he has continued to be a solid point producer, hitting 36 goals again this season along with 31 assists in 82 games.
So, what do the Sabres do with a player from Western New York who embodies the city’s culture but probably doesn’t fit the team’s timeline? Therein lies the Sabres’ difficulty with this decision, along with another complicated situation involving RFA forward JJ Peterka. The Sabres are reportedly listening to offers for Peterka and could trade him. The return would likely influence whether Tuch wants to remain a Sabres member or if the team wants to keep him. He has expressed a desire to stay, which isn’t surprising given that he grew up in the area.
Tuch will be 30 by the time he starts an extension, and if Buffalo went to seven or eight years on term, he would be in his late 30s on a high-ticket contract. Now, that’s not to say he would get such a term, but he will undoubtedly be seeking the most extended contract possible since it’s very likely that he might not sign another lucrative deal after this one.
There is no disputing Tuch’s on-ice value, leadership, or the fact that he is a fan favorite in Buffalo. However, the Sabres must ask themselves what is best for the franchise’s future. Do they want to pay top dollar for a forward on the wrong side of 30 years old? Can they get a lucrative return if they trade him this summer? And what message would they be sending their fans (and other Sabres players) if they moved on from Tuch and Peterka in the same summer?
Buffalo is uniquely positioned as a franchise, not in a good way. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2010-11 and haven’t finished higher than fifth in their division since 2011-12. The team has undergone multiple unsuccessful rebuilds, but it has finally assembled a solid core of players to build around. However, if they trade Tuch and Peterka for futures instead of roster players, veterans like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin may start to grow restless, fearing it could lead to another few seasons of losing. At the same time, they wait for the young players to develop.
Tuch is a candidate for an extension, given his performance and intangibles. Examining the Sabres’ history as an organization, it is evident that they have often prioritized culture and loyalty over results. If that pattern continues, Tuch will likely be re-signed. This situation isn’t unique to Buffalo, as it’s common for teams to extend contracts for players they know may age poorly in the latter half, understanding that Buffalo’s loyalty could lead them to retain Tuch.
On the flip side, Buffalo has yet to experience a winning season during Tuch’s time with the team, and perhaps it’s time for the Sabres to allow new leadership voices to emerge. It’s not a reflection on Tuch as a player or person, but sometimes, when an organization struggles for too long, the old guard needs to depart before a fresh culture can develop. This has occurred with many teams trying to turn a corner after a rebuild, and often, teams recognize the need to part with veteran players to make way for younger stars to step up as leaders. Edmonton did this when they moved on from Taylor Hall in 2016, and nearly 20 years ago, the Penguins followed suit by letting go of almost every veteran, effectively entrusting the team to their young stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Another factor for Buffalo to consider is that there are very few teams selling right now, which could increase their return on Tuch, as some teams will be left empty-handed after the initial scramble of unrestricted free agency. Buffalo could wait a bit after July 1 to assess the trade market and see if any moves pique their interest; if not, they could then consider an extension. There are a few wingers available, such as Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, who will be cheaper from a cap-hit perspective, but with Tuch being a few years younger, he could fetch a better haul than either of those players.
Buffalo finds itself in a tough spot with Tuch, and time is running out. If they can’t either move him or extend his contract, they risk losing him for nothing a year from now or trading him at the NHL Trade Deadline for a lesser return. Neither scenario is ideal for Buffalo, which is why they need to act promptly. The situation would be less complicated if they weren’t also trying to move Peterka, but this is the reality the Sabres are facing, and they must choose a direction.
Photo by Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
You guys are really over-dramatizing the situation. He’s under contract for another year. He wants to be there. They can negotiate an extension July 1st if they want, but they don’t have to. There’s no rush to get anything done.
Let’s say Tuch & Buffalo entertain a 5 or 6 year deal at $6mil per up to $7mil per.
Tuch is Buffalo’s best 200 foot forward, There has also been alot of trade chatter about Bowen Byram, And J.J. Peterka and they wonder why they miss the playoffs consistently, Clearly the problem in Buffalo is coaching, And upper management.
Patience. Sabres got younger last season and Dahlin was in his first year as team Captain.
I love your optimism but with all due respect I have run out of patience. The constant rebuild, the excuses about if they hadn’t had that 13 game losing streak we would have been a playoff contender etc. etc. etc. The point is we have been constantly rebuilding, hiring soccer coaches, retread players or other teams rejects as head coaches and keeping a GM who is constantly rated the worst GM in the sport and that includes the San Jose Sharks. Another point is that the Sabres did have that embarrassing losing streak with the same team that played better not great the rest of the year. This team needs a solid commitment from ownership to build a winner with real hockey people not the mediocrity we have had since the last time we made the playoffs. But I will always be a Sabres fan but I am frustrated. Have a good day
Adams wasn’t in charge the previous 9 seasons. Once he was hired he really did not have any good goalies, 2nd or 3rd lines and the defensemen were suspect. He also had to trade away the original few building blocks on this team after his 1st year. Peterka and Quinn were in Ruff’s doghouse because of their lack of consistent defensive play. Quinn played his way out of it while Peterka still drew the ire of Ruff. Adams should make a blockbuster trade like the one I have mentioned in another comment on this post (below). He has the pieces and the still young roster to do a shake up that won’t set this team back. Patience.
Have you watched the screaming deep thinkers that infest this site? For them, patience is not tossing tantrums until game five of next season about how a team or player is underachieving.
If I’m Buffalo extending Tuch should be a priority. Byram & Peterka could be a package deal to San Jose or Chicago along with the #9 for the #2 or #3 with a veteran defenseman + coming back. A 3rd team can be in the mix as well. Getting a franchise caliber young forward on a 3 year ELC would be huge. He doesn’t have to start on the 1st or 2nd line right away either. It can allow Buffalo to resign McLeod, Quinn, Docker & Levi easily and have some cap space leftover to do another move or 2 if they package a few veterans on expiring deals also.
They should build around Tuch.A Western New York guy.I have yet to see what everybody has high hopes of from Power.He was a top pick but he is bad in his own zone.Last i knew,defensemen were to help keep the puck out of their net.He does not.
Power is entering his 5th year. It took Dahlin until his 5th year to establish himself as a top defenseman. Most of Buffalo’s players are still under the age of 25 with a few turning 26.
Yeah it’s his 5th year but that 8 game sample size in year one doesn’t really count, does it?
Then he is entering his 4th year in the league.
They would be foolish to trade Tuch.
If he wants to stay and can wait he can help team in two ways. Be a trade deadline deal by Buf to contender and get good assets for BUF and then re sign with them as a FA after playoff run.
Might be time for their 4th consecutive rebuild.
Buffalo finished 8 games over .500 after the Winless stretch. Patience. Buffalo has prospects, draft picks and younger players to make trades. Ruff expects all players to play a 2 way game on the ice.
That’s the same boat they’ve been in for fifteen years and clearly have no clue how to improve any of it
Again Adams gets blamed for the first 9 years of a rebuild he had nothing to do with. Under Adams Buffalo has been the youngest team in hockey. He has built out the roster better than when he took over when the team was top heavy in the forward group and had no goalies on the roster or in the pipeline. Extend Tuch. A 5 or 6 year deal at $6mil to $7mil per will get it done. Tuch is a 2 way forward this team needs. Ruff unlike Granato requires all players to play a 2 way game. Patience.
Adams now has assets in Peterka and Byram to trade to get players to fit into what Ruff wants to do.
Problem is none of those young players want to stay. Most of them don’t fulfill their potential until they go elsewhere. I’m not even a Sabres fan and it is frustrating to watch.
Tuch should be signed to an extension as he is a solid scorer and team leader. Having said all that: Tuch will likely be traded or leave when his contract is up and go onto win the Stanley Cup. If Adams continues to make the final decisions despite the new hockey “consultants” this team will continue to flounder in mediocrity or worse. Total embarrassment.
They need a couple really good veterans to put it together, especially on defense.
The cap will be going up to 113 m when he’s scheduled to hit free agency. He’ll probably want an 8×10 if he has a typical year.
Tuch is from Baldwinsville, not Syracuse (as was Connelly). Put a little respect on my hometown.
Buffalo is getting close to their next rebuild.
No they are not. Buffalo has a very young roster with most of it 25 years old and youner. They have at least 2 forwards in Rochester that are very good plus other prospects getting valuable experience in the pro game.