Sabres Will Prepare For Life Without Tuch

Pending unrestricted free agent winger Alex Tuch’s days with the Buffalo Sabres are numbered.

The 30-year-old forward is set to cash in as he heads ever closer to unrestricted free agency on July 1st. Although the Sabres have expressed a desire to retain Tuch’s services since the season began, the two sides appear far apart as the calendar moves into June. The native of nearby Syracuse, New York, is seeking a long-term extension valued at north of ten million dollars per season.

The Sabres are offering a new pact in the eight- to nine-million-dollar range. Despite the gulf that currently exists between the two sides, the Sabres know that Tuch is a versatile piece of the team’s lineup.

“He’s been an important part of our success, “said Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen of Tuch. “He’s always getting some of the most ice time for any of the forwards. Killing penalties, playing power play. He’s a consistent goal scorer. He’s a valuable part of our team, but we make our decisions based on how we can make our team better. We have to come to an agreement that this is the type of contract that we can still make our team better, and hopefully we can do that.”

For the Sabres it’s a question of committing the money as well as an eight-year term to an older asset in Tuch, while a new deal will also be needed for rising star Zach Benson.

Tuch is a fan favorite who grew up a Sabres fan and has been a key part of a group that led the club back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a 14-year absence.

For all the good feelings surrounding a team on the rise, Tuch will be looking at all avenues to maximize his value as he will enter July as the top player available on the free agent market.

“I love it here,” said Tuch, of his time in Buffalo. “I loved my time here. (and) I loved playing hockey here. I’m going to do whatever’s best for myself and my family. That’s all that’s in my power and consideration.

“I don’t know how the talks are going to proceed. don’t know what they’re going to say. I don’t know the future, but my main priority is my family.”

It is difficult to see where movement could come from to close the gulf that exists between the two sides.

The Sabres will be looking to build on an outstanding season that saw them win the Atlantic Division and come within one goal of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

Kekalainen will be prepared to explore the trade market to keep the team moving forward should they need to turn the page on Alex Tuch.