Sabres’ Alex Tuch conclusion could actually be a trade originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Buffalo Sabres and Alex Tuch are still trying to reach a contract agreement before Tuch gets to unrestricted free agency on July 1.
Pretty much none of the reports have made it seem like it’s that close to getting done, though, and so Tuch is trending toward reaching free agency.
Well — unless there’s a trade.
That’s a new suggestion, from a trio of ESPN insiders in a new article on Tuesday.
“Alex Tuch’s camp remains in communication with the Buffalo Sabres, but to this point, they haven’t bridged the gap on a new contract,” the ESPN insiders wrote. “Tuch, 30, is coveted around the league as perhaps the best unrestricted free agent remaining. He has size, speed and experience. Getting the eighth year on a new contract is valuable to Tuch, so if Buffalo doesn’t get something done this week, it’s reasonable to expect teams cutting the line, as Tampa Bay did with Darren Raddysh.”
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The idea is that one team can negotiate a sign-and-trade to get Tuch — that’s also what the Maple Leafs did when they sent Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights last offseason.
It prevents a July 1 bidding war for a team that really wants Tuch and instead lets them ensure they know they have him before approaching the rest of their free agent plans.
“Given the low compensation cost (Toronto had to give up just a fifth-round pick to Tampa Bay, a division rival) don’t count out anyone,” the ESPN insiders wrote. “Leaguewide, it’s believed the Seattle Kraken are willing to offer Tuch a massive contract, but they’re not alone.”
If the Sabres decide, sometime between now and July 1, that they don’t want Tuch, it’s obvious that they should pursue this. There’s no reason not to get even a minimal asset in return for him.
Buffalo shouldn’t jump the gun on this if they still want Tuch back and think they can get a deal done. But it’s something to consider as they work through this process.
