The Buffalo Sabres are almost certainly heading to the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons, and they aren't just sneaking in. After a remarkable stretch dating back to December, the Sabres have a great chance to be first in the Eastern Conference and a favorite to represent the conference in the Stanley Cup Final.
One of the things that has hung over this franchise since last summer is Alex Tuch's pending free agency, as he is currently in the final year of his contract. As some of the bigger stars who were expected to be free agents signed with their current team, Tuch quickly moves up the free agent rankings and might be the best player who is currently expected to be available.
However, not all is lost, and the Sabres certainly still have a chance to bring back one of their key players. The two sides reportedly are still talking, and the Sabres have reportedly "budged a bit" on what they are offering.
Recently, Elliotte Friedman reported the two sides could still get something done before the playoffs, but Tuch's performance could force the Sabres' hand in terms of getting the contract he wants. There is another way to look at this, and that is a deep playoff run could actually work out in Buffalo's favor and help keep Tuch in Western New York.
Buffalo Sabres making a deep playoff run might be all the proof Alex Tuch needs to re-sign
Alex Tuch joined the Sabres in 2021 as part of the Jack Eichel trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. However, his connection to the franchise goes back even further than that, as he grew up in the area, and it is well documented that he grew up a Sabres fan.
There is no question that Tuch would love to be a part of that first team to bring a Stanley Cup to the area. One of the reasons Tuch hasn't signed yet was probably due to the fact that at the beginning of the season, this team did not look like a Stanley Cup contender, and really, even close to being a playoff-caliber team.
That has changed over the past few months with what this team has been able to accomplish. When thinking about the fact that a majority of the roster is still in place after this season, along with some talented prospects waiting for their chance, this doesn't feel like a one-time thing for this franchise.
There might be teams that have a longer track record of playoff success but it wasn't Tuch's childhood team. Up to this point, Tuch has not appeared willing to give a hometown discount, but that might change if the Sabres get to the Conference Finals or even the Stanley Cup Final. There isn't a team out there that can offer both a chance at a Stanley Cup while paying him the contract he wants, around $11 million.
At this point, when considering the other players set to be free agents, Tuch doesn't have much competition, and he should walk away with the biggest contract. Even with a stellar individual playoff performance, if he has one, it is hard to imagine his contract demands being able to go much higher.
However, a deep playoff run by the Buffalo Sabres, where they prove to Alex Tuch they are close to that ultimate goal, the player might be willing to accept a deal at $10 or $10.5 million to stay with his childhood team. It is certainly a risk, but at this point, the Sabres have more to prove than Tuch does and the playoff performance means more to the team than the player.