Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Kings agreed to a new contract with Adrian Kempe, who was set to be a free agent after this season. While the contract extension doesn't directly impact the Buffalo Sabres, it will make things more difficult for them in regards to their own negotiations with Alex Tuch.
The reason that things got more complicated now is that Alex Tuch is probably the best player left who is set to be a free agent after this season. This free agency had the potential to be historic with players like Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, Martin Necas, and Adrian Kempe set to play in the final year of their contract.
However, what was once a strong free agency class doesn't look as deep as all of those players have now signed new deals. This means that Alex Tuch is probably now the best player left that is set to be a free agent and the Buffalo Sabres are going to have a tough time competing with that as they try to re-sign him.
Alex Tuch has all the leverage and Buffalo Sabres likely won't be able to compete with the free agent offers
Alex Tuch has been with the team since the 2021-22 season, when the Vegas Golden Knights traded him to Buffalo as part of the Jack Eichel trade. He has been an integral part of this roster and has developed into an excellent two-way forward.
This season, Tuch is off to a great start as he has 16 points through the first 18 games and doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon. The two sides were reportedly talking about an extension before the start of the season, but those talks have been put on hold.
It would be surprising if Tuch decides to pick them back up because right now, he is in a great position to control his future. If he reaches free agency, the way he plays, he would be a great fit on almost any roster.
He is the type of player that a team like the Edmonton Oilers or even the Florida Panthers covets and finds a way to make the numbers work under the salary cap. If either of those teams expresses its interest, there is no reason for Tuch to remain with Buffalo, as they have not even come close to that level of success in two decades.
There aren't many difference makers left in this free agency class and Tuch could easily find himself with offers around $11 million AAV. More importantly for him, those offers are probably from teams much closer to competing for Stanley Cups than the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres now find themselves in a very tough situation where they might not have any choice but wait on Alex Tuch's decision.