NHL Rumors: New Team Linked To Alex Tuch
Elliotte Friedman reported at the NHL Draft Combine that there had not been much movement in negotiations, and that he had heard from multiple people that Tuch is likely testing free agency on July 1.
"The word at the combine, and I heard from a couple different people, is that there hadn't been a lot of movement. That there's still a gap," Friedman said on 32 Thoughts. "Now, I had a couple people tell me he's definitely testing free agency and I said, 'Guys, I'm not going there because who knows what can happen. There's still a couple weeks.'"
Darren Dreger had gone further earlier this month, saying Tuch is "likely going to test free agency" this summer.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic framed it similarly, reporting that while no doors have been closed with Buffalo, it appears more and more likely that Tuch will head to market.
The Negotiation Gap
Tuch posted 33 goals, 33 assists, 66 points, and a career-high plus-24 rating across 79 games this season, numbers that place him among the better top-six wingers available anywhere in the league.
Tuch is reportedly seeking a deal comparable to Adrian Kempe's $10.6 million AAV with the Kings.
The Sabres are holding a hard line at $9 million or slightly above and have been unwilling to go over $10 million for the 30-year-old winger.
Pierre LeBrun: While no doors have been closed with the Sabres, it appears more and more likely that Alex Tuch will head to market - The Athletic (6/10)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 14, 2026
Buffalo enters the offseason with approximately $11 to $12 million in cap space while also needing to re-sign Zach Benson, Peyton Krebs, and Michael Kesselring, among others.
The financial path to keeping Tuch while also addressing those other priorities simply does not exist at the price Tuch is seeking.
His projected final deal comes in at $10.5 to $11 million AAV on a seven-year term, which would make him a Sabres departure rather than a retention.
Why the Blackhawks Make Sense
Chicago Hockey Now identified Tuch as the top free agent target for Kyle Davidson this summer.
A lot to unpack here fellas.
— Andrew Heaters (@AndrewHeaters) June 15, 2026
First it’s important to remember Alex Tuch wants 10+ for over 8 years. The Canes highest paid “30 year old” referenced is Ehlers who signed an 8.5 x 6 prior to this season. Ehlers will be 36 Tuch would be 38 when the contracts conclude. Carolina… https://t.co/saKJkXTgCi
The Chicago Blackhawks finished 29-39-14, second-last in the NHL, and have been searching for a legitimate top-six winger to play alongside Connor Bedard throughout the rebuild.
Tuch is 6-foot-4, 30 years old, has scored 33 or more goals in three of the last four seasons, plays a physical game, and fits the exact profile Davidson described wanting when he said he needs to make his team harder to play against.
He would slot directly on Bedard's left wing and give the young franchise center the established NHL running mate he has not had since entering the league.
The primary concern is the contract term.
If Tuch signs for seven years at $10 to $11 million, he will be 37 years old when the deal expires, and the Blackhawks have to consider the immediate competitive benefit of adding him against the cap implications in the back half of that commitment when the rebuild's fruits arrive.
The Blackhawks have roughly $40 million in cap space this summer.
They can afford Tuch. Whether Tuch wants to go there is a whole other story.
Photo Credit: Gerry Angus-Imagn Images
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