The Winnipeg Jets could begin eyeing Sabres’ Alex Tuch as a potential trade target to strengthen their second line if Gustav Nyquist continues to underperform.
The Winnipeg Jets could be considering a trade for Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch, who is reportedly available on the trade market. This move could serve as a reliable fallback option for the Jets’ second-line winger position if Gustav Nyquist continues his slump from last season.
The Swedish winger is coming off a career-worst season, putting up just 28 points across 79 games with both the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild. Some question if age is starting to play a factor for the 35-year-old but Winnipeg feels confident in taking a gamble. If the Jets want to remain competitive towards competing for a Stanley Cup, then they will need to make sure that their top six is firing on all cylinders like last season. The departure of Nikolaj Ehlers leaves a hole that could be fixed if Nyquist reaches his similar numbers to a season prior to last year when he put up 75 points.
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If he fails to reach close to these numbers and looks similar to the Nyquist we saw last year, the Jets may need to consider other options. One of them being a right winger on an expiring contract that would likely enjoy the opportunity to play for a Cup Contender again in Tuch.
The 29-year-old Syracuse native is entering the final year of a seven-year contract with a very manageable cap hit of $4.75 million. Over the past three seasons, he has produced 94 goals and 111 assists, totaling 205 points. Given his track record, Tuch brings both scoring ability and physical presence as a right-shot winger that the Jets could utilize on their second line.
If Nyquist struggles to find their footing, Tuch could step in alongside Jets veteran center Jonathan Toews and dynamic winger Cole Perfetti. This new-look line has the potential to provide balanced scoring and create matchup problems for opponents with the addition of a lethal goal threat like Tuch making it that much more enticing to attempt a deal. Winnipeg’s coaching staff is exploring ways to maximize the impact of Toews and Perfetti, and adding Tuch would complement their skill sets.
Drafted 18th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2014, Tuch was later traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. He spent four solid seasons in Vegas, consistently putting up 30 to 50 points each year while gaining valuable playoff experience. Tuch could come into a Jets lineup that is growing in playoff experience every season and take things to another level.
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In his first full season with Buffalo, Tuch scored 36 goals and added 43 assists for nearly 80 points in 74 games. Buffalo and Tuch have recently been engaged in contract negotiations, but if those talks falter, the Jets might be positioned to present an offer.
Winnipeg could leverage some of its young talent, including young fringe NHL players like Nikita Chibrikov or Colby Barlow for an immediate jolt into the lineup. Acquiring Alex Tuch could serve as a dependable insurance policy for Winnipeg’s second line, ensuring scoring depth beyond the top unit. With Tuch’s combination of skill, size, and experience, the Jets would add a valuable piece to bolster their playoff aspirations.
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