At this point in the season, it seems more likely than not that the Buffalo Sabres are going to trade Alex Tuch. They are struggling to get into playoff contention on the ice, while they are reportedly very far apart on what a new contract might look like.
With him set to be a free agent after this season, and one that would be highly sought after, the Sabres need to think about trading him to avoid losing him with nothing in return. Once he does become available, there will certainly be plenty of interest from around the league.
However, it is important to learn from past mistakes and avoid trading him to a team that could directly hurt their chances of playoff contention in future seasons. When looking around the league, these are three teams that realistically could compete for playoff spots, and Alex Tuch would help their chances.
3 teams the Buffalo Sabres can't consider trading Alex Tuch to this season
Toronto Maple Leafs
While the Buffalo Sabres might be behind the Toronto Maple Leafs in the standings, the Maple Leafs have arguably had a much worse season. The reason was that the Maple Leafs are coming off a 100+ point season, and expectations for this team were much higher.
The fact that they are only three points ahead of Buffalo with a game in hand at about the quarter mark of the season speaks to how bad a season it has been for the Maple Leafs.
However, they are a team that can't be counted out, and it is almost a guarantee that they will make a few moves. More importantly, moves that bring them impact players, and Alex Tuch would be one of the players they have on the radar.
This is a rivalry that Toronto has dominated for a number of years and the last thing the Sabres need to do is give them a player like Tuch that will help them continue that.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens were a surprise playoff team last season, but have gotten off to a slow start this season with 23 points through 20 games. However, they are a team on the rise as they have put together an impressive young core that they can continue to improve with.
That includes Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield but could use some help on their Top 6, and a veteran like Alex Tuch would seemingly be a perfect fit there. From the Canadiens' perspective, this would be a player who could help lead the younger players now, and as Tuch gets older, could still contribute but take a back seat as these younger players develop.
For the Buffalo Sabres though, the last thing they would want to do is help a team within the division continue to get better. They would seemingly always be a step ahead of them in the rebuild process and be a big issue in the coming seasons.
Detroit Red Wings
There weren't many who could have predicted that the Detroit Red Wings would be at the top of the Atlantic Division at the quarter mark of the 2025-26 season. However, with 25 points that is exactly where the Red Wings find themselves.
This is a team that has seen some of its younger players take a big step forward this season, with the improvements by Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and Moritz Seider. One of the reasons for the improvement has been better play in net as the duo of John Gibson and Cam Talbot has worked out well.
Unlike the Canadiens, the Red Wings probably have a little more urgency with some older veterans to win now. Alex Tuch is one of those players who can help them remain atop the division, not just this season but moving forward.
If, and probably more like when, the Buffalo Sabres are ready to move Alex Tuch they need to be looking outside of the Eastern Conference. The last thing they need to do is help teams in the division, like they did with the Florida Panthers with the Sam Reinhart trade, because it will only set them back further.