Alex Tuch is coming off of a two-goal night on Tuesday, in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Tuch has five points in his last three games, and has now totaled 40 points for the year. Now with the trade deadline looming, there are few players that Buffalo would be willing not to trade as they are still in last in the Eastern Conference. However, Tuch is a guy that Buffalo could get some good value for and set the team up moving forward.
Tuch signed a 7-year, $33,250,000 contract with a cap hit of $4,750,000 per season. His contract was signed on October 19, 2018, and expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, when Tuch will be 30- years-old. Tuch was more than pleased when he was traded to Buffalo in the Jack Eichel deal about four years back. Tuch is a Syracuse, New York native who has played for his hometown team for the last four years. Tuch has totaled 88 goals and 128 assists in his four years with the Sabres, and an outstanding +35 plus-minus during that time as well. Tuch is on pace for his second-best season with the Sabres, which means his value is extremely high going into the deadline. I think two teams could seriously benefit from getting Alex Tuch, and the Sabres could get some good returns in the process.
Boston Bruins
Tuch would be a great fit for the Bruins as their offense has been inconsistent this season, and they need a top-six winger. However, they are battling the salary cap, with only a projected 70,000 dollars in cap space for the offseason. The Sabres will retain one million of Tuch’s contract or about 20%. In return, the Sabres will get a 3rd round pick, Morgan Geekie, and Brandon Carlo. I think this trade is a win for both sides and here is why. The Sabres get a rental in Geekie for the rest of the season who can play next to Jason Zucker and Dylan Cozens on the second line for the time being. Geekie has 16 goals this season in the last year of his contract and would fit well in Buffalo’s high-powered offense. Brandon Carlo is the more important piece in this trade, as he has three years left on his contract. He is the veteran stay-at-home defenseman that the Sabres need, who they can place next to either Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power as they develop the next few years. Carlo brings playoff experience along with former teammate and now Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton, and this team needs experience if they want to contend in the next few years. The Bruins get a top-six forward in Tuch and they also shed about 2.35 million in cap space which they can use in the off-season. With Charlie McAvoy making 9.5 million, Nikita Zadorov making five million, and Mason Lohrei’s contract running out soon, Carlo is the odd man out. Which makes the deal better for both sides. The Sabres get their defenseman, the Bruins get their winger, and shed cap space.
Los Angeles Kings
Tuch goes to another playoff-contending team that is struggling to score in the Los Angeles Kings. Just like the Bruins, the Kings are battling the salary cap, but need to make a move if they want to compete in the west this season. Tuch is the perfect top-six winger for the Kings as they can add him to the second line with Quentin Byfield, or the first line with Anze Kopitar. The Sabres will retain two million of Tuch’s contract or roughly 40%, in return the Sabres get a 2nd round pick, Aatu Jamsen, and Alexis Laferriere. Jamsen is a 22-year-old winger currently playing in the AHL with the Ontario Reign. Jamsen in just 15 games already has three goals and three assists since coming over from Finland. Jamsen is a top-10 prospect for the Kings who would work wonders in the AHL for the Rochester Americans, before coming to Buffalo. Alexis Laferriere would be a rental as this is the last year of his contract, but he has still put up good numbers. Laferriere has 13 goals and 15 assists on the season to go with a plus-minus of +12. Laferriere can take Tuch’s spot on the second line for the time being, playing with Zucker and Cozens, just like in our Bruins trade. I think this trade makes sense for both sides, the Sabres get a good draft pick, bolster their farm system, and get a solid winger who they can resign if they please in Laferriere. The Kings get an upgrade at wing who can help in their playoff push, and who they will have for next year as well.