The Buffalo Sabres have several solid choices to take over as team captain in 2022-23. Is that next captain Alex Tuch or someone else?
Dan Mount of the Last Word On Sports wrote an interesting article that makes the case for Alex Tuch to become the next captain for the Buffalo Sabres. Today, I’m going to break down Mount’s piece and conclude whether Tuch should get the nod or if someone else deserves it.
First, if you are new to the Buffalo Sabres organization, let’s start with a background on the budding NHL star. If you are already familiar, feel free to scroll down and skip to the first slide to read about why Tuch makes for a good fit at team captain.
Anyway, Alex Tuch came to Buffalo with Peyton Krebs as part of the potentially franchise-altering Jack Eichel trade. Both players became valuable assets, but Tuch played at another level. Finding himself at right wing on the first line, he picked up where he left off the previous season, his final in Las Vegas, when he scored 38 points in 50 games.
Will Alex Tuch be the Buffalo Sabres next team captain?
During his first season as a Sabre, just 12 of those 38 points were goals, but he set a career high in both points and assists (26). At 18:25 of average ice time, Tuch also shattered his previous high of 16:50 from a season ago.
He also isn’t all offense, as seen by his 49 blocks and 40 takeaways. While he can stand to cut down on his 25 giveaways, it is one of only two major issues he needs to improve heading into next season. The second being his shooting percentage, which fell to 8.6 this past year.
At best, Tuch uses his on-ice performance, experience, and age (even at a young 26) next season if he earns team captaincy. If not, he will still be a valuable leader for the Buffalo Sabres. Now, let’s look further into Mount’s article.