The Buffalo Sabres are playing like the best team in hockey and are sitting in first place in the Atlantic Division. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen took a bit of a risk by not trading Alex Tuch, as the forward could leave in free agency. However, it is worth the gamble with how well this team is playing, and trading Tuch for future assets wouldn't help the team this season.
By not trading Tuch, the Buffalo Sabres can still continue negotiations on a new contract, and they are the only team that can talk to him until July 1st, when free agency officially begins. There is plenty that can happen between now and then.
If the Sabres get close to a Stanley Cup, it would probably be tough for a player who grew up a fan of the Buffalo Sabres to walk away when they are seemingly so close to their first Stanley Cup. Even if Tuch gives the Sabres a hometown discount, it is still going to be a big contract that is probably eight years with an AAV around $10 million.
In that scenario, the Sabres are going to have to clear cap space to sign him and then still have room left to retain players like Zach Benson and Michael Kesselring, who are restricted free agents.
Buffalo Sabres should look to trade Josh Norris and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen before July 1st
The Sabres are going to have to create the cap space before the start of free agency, and two players who could create the needed cap space are forward Josh Norris and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. One of the reasons the Sabres may have some urgency to move them is that both players have modified no-trade clauses that kick in at the start of the new league year on July 1st.
Norris, in his second season with the Sabres, has been great on the ice as he has had 23 points in 26 games. However, injuries have been a big concern for the player, and with an AAV of $7.95 million and four more years left, it would be logical for him to be a player they try to move.
Any chance at a trade becomes a little more complicated for Norris moving forward, as he has a 10-team modified no-trade clause that kicks in on his contract.
As for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, he has looked great at times but also struggled in big moments. While the Sabres did win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, they needed eight goals to do it, as Luukkonen. gave up seven.
When considering they have Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis under contract next season and Devon Levi seemingly still waiting for his chance, Luukkonen could be moved this summer. A trade around the NHL Draft, and before July 1st, would mean the Sabres wouldn't have to navigate a modified no-trade clause with five teams on it if they try to move him.
By trading Norris and Luukkonen, the Sabres could create almost $12 million in cap space on top of the roughly $13 million they are scheduled to have, according to Puckpedia. That would be more than enough to bring back Tuch, re-sign other players set to be free agents and even possibly add a player or two.
For the players on the ice, the focus is on winning the Atlantic Division and getting back to the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons. However, for Jarmo Kekalainen and the Sabres' front office, these are the type of things they are probably already discussing and trying to work through.