The Buffalo Sabres are in the process of putting together their plan for what to do with their roster this summer. Various reports have indicated that the club is taking offers for restricted free agent defenseman Bowen Byram, and are at least listening to teams on RFA winger JJ Peterka, but there is not a clear picture of what the future may hold for winger Alex Tuch. 

Following the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month the name of Tuch began being mentioned as a potential trade option by James Mirtle of the Athletic, coming off a career-high 36-goal campaign last season, but according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, any possibility of a trade involving the 29-year-old winger is premature. 

Other Sabres Stories

Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday?

Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram

Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change 

“There’s zero indication out there that Tuch has either told the Sabres he wants to be traded or (that) he won’t sign an extension if one is offered to him,” Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast on Wednesday.  

The Syracuse, NY native was acquired as part of the Jack Eichel deal with Vegas in November 2021 and has 106 goals for the Sabres in 281 regular season games. Tuch has a year left on a seven-year, $33.25 million contract he signed with the Golden Knights in 2018 and becomes eligible for an extension on July 1. 

Tuch is in a strong negotiating position with the Sabres, as he and Tage Thompson are consistent offensive producers. It is likely with the salary cap going up after making $4.75 million the last seven years that the winger would be looking for a long-term deal in the same neighborhood of Josh Norris ($7.95 million) or Thompson ($7.14 million), and their willingness to do that may depend on what they get in return for Byram and if they are forced to deal Peterka.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo