Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is attempting to make his own splash on the NHL trade market to keep pace in the highly competitive Atlantic Division.
The Sabres, who are set to host the 2026 NHL Draft at the KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo starting Friday night, made one minor move so far — sending defenseman Michael Kesselring to the San Jose Sharks to improve their Round 1 draft position (going from No. 27 to No. 20) — but they're likely going to need some bigger deals to remain among the league's elite next season.
"Like a number of clubs, the Buffalo Sabres remain very active in trade scenarios," Darren Dreger of TSN reported Monday. "[Bowen] Byram is clearly a hot commodity."
Byram's name has popped up in the NHL rumor mill over the past week. Kekalainen previously expressed interest in signing the 25-year-old blueliner to a long-term contract extension, but the 2022 Stanley Cup champion hinted in the past he views himself as a first-pair defender and No. 1 power-play quarterback, roles held by the Rasmus Dahlin in Buffalo.
If Byram isn't going to re-sign, now is the time for the Sabres to trade him to maximize their return since he can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Meanwhile, the dream acquisition for Buffalo this summer is a true first-line center, which would allow Tage Thompson to play on the wing. That's where head coach Lindy Ruff prefers the 6-foot-6 offensive dynamo because it limits the impact of his faceoff and defensive deficiencies.
The Sabres were linked to St. Louis Blues pivot Robert Thomas leading up to the 2026 NHL trade deadline, and he remains the best-case scenario for an offseason arrival. Thomas may no longer be available, however, which could send Kekalainen down a different trade path.
Although the Blue and Gold have a strong roster foundation in place, headlined by Dahlin and Thompson, it feels like a couple impact additions will be required over the next few months, especially if star winger Alex Tuch departs via free agency.
Buffalo Sabres haven't given up on an Alex Tuch contract extension
While most of the reports over the past month have indicated Tuch is likely heading to the open market — the sides haven't been able to bridge a gap pegged at the Sabres around $9 million per season and the Syracuse native seeking closer to $10.5 million annually — the extension door isn't closed.
"It's also believed the Sabres have circled back on Alex Tuch to see if an extension is possible with free agency looming," Dreger reported Monday.
We previously discussed the potential of the 30-year-old Syracuse native making a last-minute decision to re-sign with Buffalo. The odds of the Sabres' offer going up increase if they're unable to pull off a blockbuster trade before the final days of June.
The dynamics of the situation don't change. It's unlikely an eight-year extension for Tuch would age well as he hits his mid- to upper-30s. Yet, Kekalainen may have to sacrifice some future financial flexibility to ensure his roster doesn't lose a key piece without a replacement available.
Tuch is coming off another strong season in Buffalo. He recorded 66 points (33 goals and 33 assists) in 79 regular-season appearances. He had seven points in the club's first-round series against the Boston Bruins, but then went silent with zero points in Round 2 against the Montreal Canadiens.
Even though the latter fact drew some ire within the Sabres fanbase, it's impossible to make a long-term contract decision based on such a small sample size.
Buffalo does have some internal options as future two-way, three-phase contributors, including Zach Benson and Josh Doan, but neither of them have experience that type of crucial role as this early stage of their careers. It'd be a learning experience.
Bringing Tuch back is the safest alternative despite the uncertain financial impacts a handful of years down the line. That said, it sounds like Kekalainen is working the phones to see if there's a more cap-savvy addition to lessen the impact of the winger's possible departure.
Ultimately, it feels like a situation that may come right down to the wire on June 30, and Tuch is working from a position of strength since he'll be the top forward available if he enters free agency, meaning he could command a bidding war that pushes his salary close to (or above) $11 million.
The Sabres probably won't be able to reach that number but, if a trade for a top-six forward doesn't materialize soon, their offer may move closer to $10 million.
Either way, a hectic stretch is ahead for Kekalainen and his front office.
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