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Buffalo Sabres: A deeper dive into Alex Tuch’s career year

By Zach Jezioro

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Alex Tuch #89 of the Buffalo Sabres scores his 100th NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at KeyBank Center on February 21, 2023 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Alex Tuch #89 of the Buffalo Sabres scores his 100th NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at KeyBank Center on February 21, 2023 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /
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Alex Tuch had a career season with the Buffalo Sabres. Despite having an injury that kept him out for a few weeks, he did really well.

Ever since coming over from Vegas in the Jack Eichel trade, Alex Tuch has been a fan favorite since he put on the Buffalo Sabres jersey. It helps that he was a Sabres fan growing up near Syracuse, but he means so much to this team and city. His leadership, the way he handles himself, and his skill does not go unnoticed.

As for his 2022-23 campaign, Tuch had a career year. In 74 games played, he scored 36 goals and got 43 assists for 79 points. Unfortunately, he missed eight games back in March when Buffalo was trying to make push for the playoffs. His impact was noticeable when the Sabres played the Toronto Maple Leafs where Alex came back and scored twice in a Sabres victory.

As I mentioned earlier, it was a career year for the 18th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. For the first time in his career, he reached the 30 goal plateau. The closest he got to scoring this many goals was in the 2018-19 season where he scored 20 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch enjoyed a career season in 2022-23

If you read my previous deeper dive articles for Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner, I mentioned how those two players are benefiting from playing on a line with talent. That’s the case for Alex Tuch as well. All three of these guys have great chemistry and gave Buffalo a “scary good” first line.

Going forward, I think Tuch is capable of scoring at least 30 goals next season and in the future. If he keeps on playing with skilled players and performs like we expect him to do, it’s very possible he gets to the 40 goal mark.

Sabres: A deeper dive into Jeff Skinner’s 2022-23 season. light. Related Story

Once again, Tuch means so much to his franchise. Whenever Kyle Okposo decides to call it a career, Buffalo will need a new captain and there’s a very good chance Tuch will be the one who claims the captaincy. He was meant to be a Buffalo Sabre and I can’t wait to see what else he does in the future.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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