It's starting to feel like Alex Tuch is playing his final few months in a Buffalo Sabres uniform.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported there's been no serious progress in extension talks between Tuch's camp, led by agent Brian Bartlett, and Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams as Buffalo refuses to raise its offer to meet the 29-year-old winger's contract demands.
"My understanding is that there remains a sizable gap in positions in those talks," LeBrun wrote. "Which is to say I don't think Buffalo has gone to double digits on the AAV yet. And I mean, who's to say if the Sabres ultimately will?"
He added: "Neither side has shut down talks, though, and both are willing to pick up the conversation at any time. For now, those talks are status quo."
The fact Tuch and the Sabres have taken no meaningful steps toward an agreement since the start of the regular season is problematic, especially since the forward has emerged as perhaps the best unrestricted free agent for next summer as other impending UFAs re-sign with their current clubs.
Buffalo Sabres must get more aggressive with Alex Tuch contract talks or it's time to begin exploring the NHL trade market
Tuch has endured an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 season. He struggled early, which led to a wave of criticism about his lackluster play, but he's performed closer to his typical strong two-way standard over the past couple weeks.
The Syracuse native, who grew up cheering for the Sabres, has recorded 16 points (seven goals and nine assists) in 20 games. His underlying numbers are also solid as he ranks second among the team's forwards in 5-on-5 expected goals for percentage (xGF%) at 54.5%, per Natural Stat Trick.
It's a sad reality about the state of the franchise that even a player who grew up in Western New York seemingly doesn't have any interest in taking a "hometown discount" to stay.
If Tuch isn't interested in doing everything in his power to help the Sabres turn things around, what chance does Buffalo have to attract outside talent? Not much.
Yet, Adams can't get caught up in sentiment. The GM must deal with the fact he's got just over three months to trade the Team USA Olympic roster hopeful if the organization isn't going to pay him.
Trying to get fair-market value for Tuch on the trade market won't be easy. Opposing front offices will understand Buffalo is operating from a position without much leverage. It can't afford to let the veteran winger leave in free agency at season's end without getting assets in return.
So Adams, who's faltered in the past to make these type of sell-off trades, should already be trying to generate interest, especially if he already knows the Sabres aren't going to meet Tuch's demands.
Ultimately, the situation has been trending toward a trade ever since Bartlett explained the sides we're moving talks to the back burner, and the latest update showing there's been essentially zero movement since that point suggests the writing is already on the wall.
Trying to replace Tuch will be virtually impossible for the Sabres. They aren't a major player in the free-agent market and Adams hasn't shown a willingness to make a high-risk, all-in trade to acquire a superstar-level talent throughout his six-year tenure.
That said, trading Tuch may be Adams' last major move as the team's general manager since Buffalo should clean house, both in terms of the front office and the coaching staff, if it misses the playoffs for the 15th consecutive year.
So, while there are a myriad of variables in play, one thing is indisputable: Every day that passes without a contract extension increases the odds Tuch isn't on the Sabres roster after the NHL trade deadline in March.