The Buffalo Sabres are looking to take care of some major business. In particular, that business deals with impending UFA Alex Tuch.
Before the Sabres’ miraculous turnaround this season, the thought of jettisoning Tuch at the trade deadline seemed like a foregone conclusion. The two sides were reportedly too far apart, with Tuch holding the high ground in negotiations.
Since the massive front office shake-up, the Sabres have turned their entire fortunes around. Thursday night’s 5-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens was a huge step towards solidifying their first playoff berth in nearly 15 years.
Now, it seems that Tuch and the Sabres are singing a different tune. According to insider Chris Johnston, there is now a willingness from both Tuch and the Sabres’ side to get a deal in the books.
Johnston stated the following on the January 14 edition of Chiclets Game Notes:
“I think that both sides genuinely want to get something done, but Tuch has a lot of leverage, he’s probably going to be the biggest UFA if he goes to the market on July 1st.”
The 2026 free-agent class was supposed to be a massive one. Instead, just about every big name has signed. That situation has made Tuch the most impressive name on the board. The Sabres know that if Tuch goes to market, several teams will back up the Brinks truck for him.
That’s why getting a deal out of the way now would be a significant priority for both sides.
Sabres Not Keen on Trading Tuch Now
When the Sabres were in the Eastern Conference cellar, moving Tuch seemed like an inevitable outcome. Now, that’s an entirely different story. Buffalo needs Tuch as they look to remain in the playoff picture.
That said, trading Tuch at this point, unless it was for a massive return to help the team win, would send the wrong message. Moving Tuch would make it seem like the Sabres are giving up on the season when they clearly have a chance to make a strong run.
Again, a Tuch trade would only make sense if the return could provide an immediate boost to the team. That’s why the club would much rather hang on to Tuch, even if it means passing the trade deadline without an extension in place.
Buffalo Could Still Cash in on Tuch
Assuming there was a team desperate enough out there to make the Sabres an offer they couldn’t refuse, Buffalo might still cash in on Tuch.
That situation may not seem as far-fetched as one might believe. Several clubs out there are on the edge of the precipice, looking to salvage more than just this season. For some clubs, there is a clear need to make a move that signals momentum forward.
If such an opportunity presented itself, the Sabres could fleece a club out there willing to pay up. While the odds of such a chance may not be high, it’s something worth considering. Plenty can happen from now till the Olympic roster freeze set for February 4.
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