The Buffalo Sabres are getting ready for the upcoming season with the Prospect Challenge this weekend and training camp opening next weekend. One of the big topics over the summer was whether or not the team could sign Alex Tuch to an extension.
However, according to a recent report by David Pagnotta with The Fourth Period 'nothing is close right now'.
The report is short and can be interpreted in a number of different ways. The first is that the two sides haven't really discussed anything yet, and maybe were waiting until training camp, when all sides are back in Buffalo to begin negotiating a new deal.
There is another scenario, and if this is the case, it raises more concerns for fans. The other scenario is that the two sides have been discussing a contract and they are too far apart right now on the term or compensation.
Alex Tuch has been with the Buffalo Sabres since he was part of the trade that sent Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights. In the past four seasons with Buffalo, he has developed into their second-best forward, behind only Tage Thompson. He has had two seasons with 35+ goals and in the past three seasons has had at least 30 assists.
Buffalo Sabres extending Alex Tuch will help change the perception around the NHL
The Buffalo Sabres need to sign Alex Tuch to a long-term deal because he is a big part of this team and will signal something to the players currently on the team and around the league. That is, they are committed to winning and keeping the good players.
Over the past decade, it has been a vicious cycle of developing players, realizing they aren't in a position to compete, and trading those players to avoid losing them in free agency.
There is no question that if they sign Tuch to a max-term deal, he likely won't be as productive in the back half of that contract. However, if the Sabres are winning and making the playoffs, they could attract better players that doesn't force Tuch to produce at the level he is.
The other reason an extension now won't be as much of a concern in the latter years of the contract is that the salary cap is continuing to go up. The percentage of his AAV will continue to diminish each passing season, and when comparing production to his AAV in relation to the other contracts around the league, it might be in line.
There really is no downside to signing Alex Tuch to a contract extension but the Sabres not extending him could be a bigger issue that will be tough to overcome.