Insider Links Alex Tuch To Cup Contender If Extension With Sabres Isn't Signed

Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres forward, celebrates a goal

The Buffalo Sabres continue to work hard at getting an extension done with star forward Alex Tuch. The hometown kid does want to stay with the Sabres, but money could be an issue.

Pierre LeBrun said on TSN Insider Trading this week that "there continues to be good dialogue there... but nothing is imminent.

"I think he ends up a double-digit guy (i.e. $10 million AAV or better) based on where this market is going."

Fellow insider David Pagnotta, appearing on Daily Faceoff Live, provided more intel. He had mixed messages for Sabres fans, telling them "not to hit panic buttons anytime soon", as there's good communication. But he also added that he could see Tuch being a prime trade target for a particular Stanley Cup contender if something does not get done well before the trade deadline:

The longer the season goes without a deal, and depending on how the season goes for the Sabres... Unless (GM) Kevyn Adams wakes up and says, 'alright, we're gonna give you this deal, 8 (yrs) by $11 (million), or something like that, this is gonna take a little bit of time.
If this team doesn't have him signed by the halfway point of the season and we already know that we're focusing on '26-'27 for them... then I think you start to have (trade) discussions (with other teams) out there, and I imagine the Oilers would be one of them.

We do know that the Edmonton Oilers are looking for a legit top-six star forward to add to the crew.

At the same time, there will be many other contenders who would love to get their hands on Tuch if he became available, so stay tuned.

Tuch, a solid two-way player, had his second 36-goal season in three years in '24-'25. On the defensive side of the puck, he set an NHL record for blocked shots by a forward (113) and led the league in short-handed goals (6) last season.