The Buffalo Sabres have watched a lot of franchise building blocks leave the organization during their extended playoff drought. General manager Kevyn Adams must make sure Alex Tuch doesn't become the latest member of that group in 2026.
Tuch headlines the Sabres' eight-player projected free-agent class next summer. The 29-year-old Syracuse native has scored 243 points (106 goals and 137 assists) in 281 games across four seasons since being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the blockbuster Jack Eichel trade.
Getting the winger re-signed before the 2025-26 season gets underway would provide a major boost to Buffalo's future outlook. Adams would still have some difficult decisions to make when it comes to the team's other impending free agents, though.
Alex Tuch (UFA)
It's hard to overstate how important Tuch is for the Sabres. He plays in every situation, isn't afraid to sacrifice his body defensively — he set a new NHL record for blocked shots by a forward with 113 last season — and he's one of the team's best leaders.
Adams will be playing a dangerous game if he doesn't re-sign the Boston College product before the new season starts. Buffalo can't afford to lose him for nothing in free agency next summer, so a trade enters the conversation without a new deal in place.
Verdict: Re-sign to long-term contract
Beck Malenstyn (UFA)
The Sabres' effort to rebuild their fourth line last summer failed miserably. Sam Lafferty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel are already gone, and Malenstyn probably won't be far behind. Adams will probably try to move him to a contender at the deadline for a conditional late-round draft pick.
Verdict: Trade
Jacob Bryson (UFA)
Why Buffalo keeps bringing Bryson back is a mystery. He posted a 44.5% expected goals for percentage (xGF%) last season, per Natural Stat Trick, and he's never proven himself as more than a No. 7 defenseman since being drafted in 2017. It's time to seek out more effective blue-line depth.
Verdict: Let him walk into free agency
Zach Benson (RFA)
Benson is a close second to Tuch in terms of the Sabres' 2026 priorities. He's a restricted free agent, so the urgency isn't the same, but Adams should be trying to lock him in for the long haul now before his asking price skyrockets in the years ahead. He's a future two-way cornerstone.
Verdict: Re-sign to long-term contract
Peyton Krebs (RFA)
Krebs is an offensive black hole, so he'll never live up to the hype that followed him as a 2019 first-round pick. That said, he's made steady strides to emerge as a team-first, defensive-minded fourth-line center, especially in the second half of last season. He's worth keeping around for now.
Verdict: Re-sign to short-term contract
Josh Doan (RFA)
Doan had impressive underlying numbers during his time with the Utah Mammoth before arriving in this summer's JJ Peterka trade. The Sabres will probably want a closer look at his true offensive potential before handing him a lucrative long-term extension, though.
Verdict: Re-sign to short-term contract
Michael Kesselring (RFA)
Kesselring was the Sabres' other acquisition in the Peterka deal. They're hoping he can finally fill the longstanding void next to Owen Power on the second pair. It's a great fit on paper and, if the early returns verify that expectation, Buffalo should be looking at a five- or six-year extension.
Verdict: Re-sign to long-term contract
Zac Jones (RFA)
Jones will compete with Bryson in training camp to become the top reserve for the Sabres defense. He posted underwhelming numbers in 115 appearances across five years with the New York Rangers while playing a similar role. It'll probably be best to look for an upgrade next summer.
Verdict: Non-tendered to make him a UFA