Any plans new Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen had to immediately shake up the roster were halted by a hot streak that's pushed the team into a playoff spot, but an impending decision on star winger Alex Tuch still looms large.
Tuch, who can become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, expressed his desire to remain in Buffalo before the season but hasn't budged on his asking price, which is estimated around $10.5 million annually for eight years.
If Kekalainen and the Sabres aren't willing to meet those demands, the 6-foot-4 forward will become one of the most coveted players on the NHL trade market. He's recorded 32 points (12 goals and 20 assists) in 38 appearances this season.
Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic predicted where Tuch will land if he's eventually made available by Buffalo ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline in March. Johnston forecasted it'll be the New York Rangers.
"If the Sabres move on from Tuch, the Rangers look like a sneaky good fit," Johnston wrote. "New York is armed with serious cap space this summer, and it doesn't have a lot of obvious places to deploy it after the most attractive potential UFAs signed extensions with their existing clubs. The Rangers won't be looking to rebuild and need to make sure they spend that free money wisely."
LeBrun believes the Los Angeles Kings make the most sense.
"Los Angeles is hanging on in the playoff race in the West despite struggling offensively. Tuch would be an ideal boost on the right side behind first-liner Adrian Kempe," LeBrun wrote. "And the Kings have ample cap room. This is an obvious fit for me if the Sabres ever put him on the market."
A big-market team with space under the salary cap to fit the 29-year-old Syracuse native, who fell short of the Team USA roster for the Winter Olympics, is the prevailing theme.
Could the Buffalo Sabres' winning ways change the dynamics of contract extension talks with Alex Tuch?
It's impossible to blame Tuch for wanting to cash in right now. Given his age and reported desire for a long-term agreement, this will probably be his last opportunity to sign a lucrative deal since he'll be in his late-30s by the time an eight-year contract expires.
In addition, he's been providing the Sabres with incredible value at his current $4.75 million AAV, so he's earned a substantial raise.
Previously, any discussion about a potential hometown discount — Tuch grew up two hours down the thruway and rooted for the Blue and Gold — was offset by the fact Buffalo was riding a 14-year postseason drought that was on the fast track toward a 15th straight season out of the playoffs.
Now the question is whether the Sabres' winning streak, which tied a franchise record with a New Year's Eve win over the Dallas Stars, may alter the winger's decision-making process.
More specifically, will the fact Buffalo is suddenly more competitive make Tuch willing to take at least a little less to stay with the franchise?
It's an important distinction because it appears neither Kekalainen nor former Sabres GM Kevyn Adams was eager to get into the $84 million range on the 2014 first-round pick or the extension would already be in place.
Ultimately, Buffalo is likely going to wait as long as possible to see whether a new contract is possible, especially if its rise up the standings continues. A trade will be the only option if it's clear by early March that an extension agreement isn't possible, though.
If that's the route the Sabres are forced to take, the Rangers and Kings will have no shortage of competition as potential suitors for Tuch, which means Kekalainen should be able to secure a solid return package for the fan favorite.
One thing's for sure: Buffalo can't afford to let him hit the open market without getting anything in return, which is why a trade becomes more likely with each passing day.