Fan favorite winger Alex Tuch is on an expiring contract with the Buffalo Sabres this season. Improved performance from the club this season is critical for what the future holds on many levels.
Tuch is not only a top point producer for Buffalo, but he is so much more to the franchise. He grew up in nearby Syracuse as a fan of the Sabres. He is a heart and soul player who delivers in many facets of the game.
He is a special team talent who delivers both with the man advantage and killing penalties, is active in the community and a player that the Sabres fan base has embraced. Going back to the off season negotiations had been ongoing between Buffalo and Tuch’s agent Brian Bartlett, with both sides showing a desire to get a contract extension finalized.
Now, talks between the two parties have been placed on hold according to Dave Pagnotta in an appearance on Jeff Marek’s podcast “The Sheet.”
“They have actually pressed the pause button for the time being,” confirmed Pagnotta. “They put negotiations on the back burner to kind of focus on basically what’s going on with this team.”
Sabres concerned despite B2B wins
Buffalo started the season with three losses. They have since rebounded with two victories over division rivals Ottawa and Florida. The latter came via a 3-0 shutout behind Alex Lyon.
The question is are the Sabres on the verge of respectability or headed down a path which ends in a fifteen consecutive season outside the playoff picture?
There is a lot of concern in Buffalo again unfortunately.” Said Pagnotta. “I think for Alex Tuch, yeah he’s interested in staying and he’s not closed the door by any stretch on the Sabres, but they need to know what the direction of this team is.”
At twenty-nine years old, it seems unlikely Tuch would want to sign on for another rebuild.
Tuch holds the negotiating leverage
Buffalo will have to pay over market and term to keep Tuch in the fold. Many years at the bottom of the standings have eroded any leverage the club would have had in contract talks.
With many top talents exiting the organization over the past few seasons, Tuch is a player the Sabres must retain.
With the team’s injured players beginning to return to the lineup, building on the last two wins is crucial for the future of both the Sabres and Alex Tuch.
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