Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch will become an unrestricted free agent July 1 if he doesn't sign a contract extension with the organization, and so far there's been little in the form of optimism when it comes to the ongoing discussions.
TSN's Chris Johnston became the latest NHL insider to suggest the Sabres have yet to make a substantial move toward Tuch's asking price, which is pegged around $10.5 million, with some suggestion it may be closer to $11 million because of this year's weak UFA market.
"You can be sure that he would want to continue on with that journey in Buffalo but he's gotta be paid fairly to do it," Johnston said. "... I think this is a very unique opportunity for him to get a contract north of $10 million on a long-term deal and, at this point in time, it doesn't seem as though the Sabres are going to get there. Usually these deadlines, though, do push better offers to come forward."
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and ESPN's Emily Kaplan each provided similar updates recently, suggesting little apparent movement toward an agreement between Buffalo and Tuch.
The 30-year-old Syracuse native, who grew up rooting for the Sabres, does hold quite a bit of leverage because he'll be the top forward available if he does hit the open market next month.
Tuch has recorded 309 points (139 goals and 170 assists) across 360 appearances since joining the Blue and Gold in 2021 as part of the blockbuster Jack Eichel trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, who are set to battle the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
The 6-foot-4 power forward carries added value because he pairs that top-six offensive impact with high-effort defense. He's been a member of the Sabres' top penalty-killing unit and blocked 113 shots in 2024-25, setting a new single-season NHL record for a forward.
Alas, Buffalo's front office is dealing with a salary-cap crunch this summer, in large part due to a $6.4 million dead-cap hit from the Jeff Skinner buyout, and there are legitimate concerns about how a double-digit AAV would age as Tuch hits his mid- to upper-30s.
So, at least for the moment, it appears the Sabres are prepared to allow rising stars like Zach Benson and Josh Doan to take on larger roles next season while letting Tuch depart in free agency.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen may change his stance if upcoming trade talks suggest Buffalo won't be able to make a marquee addition via that route this summer, which could lead the franchise to reconsider the 2014 first-round pick's contract demands.
Where should the Buffalo Sabres feel comfortable on an Alex Tuch contract extension?
The one advantage Buffalo owns in the conversations is the ability to offer an eight-year extension, whereas Tuch could only receive seven-year offers from other teams in free agency.
That matters. A seven-year contract at a $10.5 million AAV is worth a total value of $73.5 million, which equates to a shade under $9.2 million annually on an eight-year extension with the Sabres.
It doesn't appear — obviously things can change over the next four weeks, especially if Tuch truly wants to remain in Western New York — the two-way winger has showcased a willingness to sign a deal below $10 million per season, regardless of the contract length, though.
So, is there a number where both sides would be happy? It's tough to say.
AFP Analytics projected Tuch will receive a seven-year, $70.82 million contract ($10.12 million AAV) in free agency. But earlier in the 2025-26 season, Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic pegged the forward's market value at $7.6 million per season on a max-length extension.
Fittingly, reports from NHL insiders throughout the campaign suggested the Sabres' offers began around $8 million and have since moved closer to $9 million. It just doesn't appear the club is willing to come anywhere close to $11 million on an eight-year contract.
If Tuch does hit free agency, it doesn't guarantee he'll sign elsewhere. It's possible his market is softer than anticipated and he circles back to the Sabres.
Buffalo would prefer the Sidney Crosby treatment. The Pittsburgh Penguins legend famously likes signing $8.7 million AAV contracts to match his jersey number. The Blue and Gold would probably be willing to give Tuch, who wears No. 89, $8.9 million annually to keep him for the long haul.
It's far less certain whether $71.2 million in total value is enough for the Boston College product. He could potentially push closer to $80 million if a free-agent bidding war emerged.
All told, deadlines do spur action and it's possible Kekalainen will have timely conversations with Tuch's representatives by late June to see whether a solution is possible. There are a lot of variables in play that could change the financial equation by that point.
As it stands, however, there's a real chance Tuch is playing for a different NHL team in 2026-27.
Add us as a preferred source on Google