Sabres Trade Rumors: Alex Tuch Situation Could Force Trade Of Buffalo Blueliner

The Alex Tuch situation continues to drag on for the Buffalo Sabres, and it's starting to look more and more like he's going to the open market July 1.

David Pagnotta and Irfan Gaffar spoke about the pending UFA's situation on DFO Rundown on Thursday, and Pagnotta said that "As of now, he's going to free agency... Unless there is a shift & change from Buffalo's perspective." Indeed, the two sides are not even close. "If this were close, it would be done," added Pagnotta.

The insider feels that Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is holding firm at around the $9M AAV range, while Tuch's camp is looking for north of $10.5M.

But the other big part of the equation here is that Tuch's potential departure could trigger a trade of one member of the Sabres' deep blueline corps. And Owen Power is the big name that's been out there.

If they lose Tuch... How are you going to replace him in your top six?... There are teams that are curious: 'Hey, if we have a top six winger, in his '20s, that we deem expendable, and we need to shore up our back end, is Owen Power somebody that we can target?'
So don't be surprised if we hear his name out there.

Power has five years remaining at an $8.35M AAV and has been a legitimate top-four D-man since coming into the league four years ago and finishing third in Calder Trophy balloting. This season, he posted 29 points with a +9 rating, while logging 21:39 average ice time per night.

If Power were to be dealt, however, we would have to assume that the Sabres would be pretty confident that they could get Bowen Byram signed up to a long-term extension. He's eligible on July 1 and has one year to run on his current deal.