Sabres Need to Keep Tuch For Playoff Push

Although the Buffalo Sabres are in the midst of the Winter Olympic break, the organization is focused on the upcoming resumption of the regular season and the push toward the playoffs.

The Sabres are currently sitting in the first wild-card position, looking to reach the postseason tournament for the first time in 15 years. Unlike in past Sabres seasons, the March 6th trade deadline will have general manager Jarmo Kekalainen looking to add to Buffalo’s roster for the stretch run. Instead of selling off players for draft picks and prospects, Kekalainen will be looking to bolster the Sabres lineup.

As the deadline approaches, a great deal of attention is being paid to the future of Sabres winger Alex Tuch.

The 29-year-old native of nearby Syracuse is in the final year of his current contract. Tuch is a fan favorite who grew up a Sabres fan. Buffalo wants to secure his services going forward with a contract extension. If a deal is unable to be reached by the deadline, the typical scenario with an asset on an expiring contract would be for Kekalainen to move Tuch for the best compensation the team could receive.

However, this is not a typical season for the Sabres. With all this group has accomplished to reach a playoff position at this point in the season, to miss the postseason in the spring would be a crushing blow to the players, the coaching staff, and the fan base.

“What I’ve heard about the Sabres is they’re not going to make their team worse,” said NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on the 32 thoughts podcast. “That’s a team with a lot of picks and prospects. Unless you get a ridiculous offer, I’m keeping him right now. You’ve got two weeks out of the Olympics to see if anything changes, but if I own the Sabres, if it continues this way he’s our own rental, we’re going for it.” continued Friedman.

Tuch’s value to the club and his contribution to the battle in the chase to the playoffs mean far more to the Sabres than anything they would receive in return in a deadline deal.

Your fans are energized for the first time in fifteen years, said Friedmanon the Sabres’ current situation.

”Your players are energized, everything’s going well. You go for it. We (the Sabres) need this for our fans, we need this for our city, we need this for our organization.”