The Buffalo Sabres have enjoyed by far their most fruitful season in years as they broke their 14 year playoff drought dating back to 2011, amassing 50 wins and 109 points in the process as they won the Atlantic Division.
A big factor in the Sabres’ success has been the performance of Alex Tuch. The 29 year old forward has been a key cog in Buffalo’s offense as he registered 33 goals and 33 assists for 66 points in 79 regular season games. He also recorded a goal and assist in Buffalo’s 4-3 Game 1 win versus the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
The future of Tuch in Buffalo has been a question mark all year as his current contract with the club will conclude when the season comes to an end. Insider David Pagnotta has indicated that his play in the postseason will be an important factor in whether the team brings him back: “how he performs might ultimately dictate whether he’s a Sabre next season or not.”
Alex Tuch Has Been Impactful in Buffalo
Buffalo should be incentivized to find a way to retain Tuch beyond this season if they can, for he has been an impactful player since he joined the squad in 2021. Tuch was the main piece that came the other way for Buffalo in the blockbuster Jack Eichel trade that sent the former Sabre to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Tuch has asserted himself as a core piece in Buffalo’s top-six offensive rotation throughout his five year tenure with the franchise. The chemistry he has developed with Tage Thompson has been dynamic as the two have drove Buffalo’s offense and powerplay.
Over the course of his 360 game career with the Sabres, Tuch has registered 139 goals and 170 assists for 309 points in the regular season. He ranks 29th in scoring in the entire history of the organization. Teammates Rasmus Dahlin and Thompson are the only active Sabres who have had more production with the team.
Tuch Would Generate Interest in Free Agency
If Tuch hits the open market on July 1st, he will be one of the biggest names available in free agency. As a proven top line winger in the prime of his career, teams will be lining up to compete for his services if Buffalo opts not to re-up.
This 2026 free agent market projects to be a dry class, so many general managers across the league will be hoping Tuch becomes available with so few elite options expected to be on the table.
Based on the way Tuch has played this season and with the rising cap, he can ask for a hefty salary. The Daily Faceoff’s Mike Gould projected that Tuch’s deal could look something like the recent Nick Schmaltz extension that came in at 8 years and $8 million per season.
If Tuch extends in Buffalo the monetary amount would likely be on the lower end of value compared to what he could make in free agency. But with a group clearly on the rise, perhaps Tuch would take a pay cut to stick around with such a promising team that he has fit in with.
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