New Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen confirmed during the latest episode of the team's Embedded video series that he's already spoken with Brian Bartlett, the agent for impending unrestricted free agent Alex Tuch.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that was merely an "introductory" conversation and noted talks about a contract extension are "anticipated in January."
"I do not get the sense Tuch's ask has changed — eight figures per season over an eight-year deal, or thereabouts, seems likely — but will Kekalainen's vision include making Tuch the highest paid forward on the team? We shall see," Pagnotta wrote.
Tuch's camp hasn't wavered on those demands since the summer, so the ball is likely in Kekalainen's court to determine whether he wants to pay the 29-year-old Team USA Olympic roster hopeful a double-digit AAV into his late 30s.
The Syracuse native, who grew up rooting for the Sabres, has compiled 31 points (12 goals and 19 assists) in 37 games for a suddenly red-hot Buffalo club this season.
Alex Tuch contract decision will have a major long-term impact on the Jarmo Kekalainen era of the Buffalo Sabres
It would be easy for Kekalainen to hand Tuch a blank check and worry about the rest later. He's a fan favorite in Western New York and provides rare two-way contributions. Last season, he set a new NHL record for blocked shots by a forward (113) while also scoring 36 goals.
The Sabres, who've long struggled to attract free agents to Buffalo, would likely have similar problems trying to replace the 6-foot-4 power forward in the lineup.
Yet, giving Tuch an extension that'll probably pay him around $10.5 million for eight years is a deal that may not age gracefully, and it would quickly create some financial headaches for the Blue and Gold.
The Sabres must account for a $6.4 million dead-cap figure next season stemming from the Jeff Skinner buyout. That's a $2 million increase from the current campaign and Tuch's projected new salary would represent a rise of about $6 million. That's a lot of money.
Meanwhile, Buffalo has a quartet of restricted free agents who'll also be looking for raises: Zach Benson, Josh Doan, Michael Kesselring and Peyton Krebs.
The following offseason will see RFA status for Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich and Colten Ellis.
Meeting Tuch's asking price combined with the high-value contracts already on the books for Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Josh Norris and Tage Thompson would force Kekalainen to make some difficult decisions about those young RFAs in the coming years.
The Sabres could try to clear some space by moving the likes of Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway, whose two-year, $8 million extension inked by former general manager Kevyn Adams was a mistake from the moment it was finalized last season, but it's not a simple solution.
Instead, the easiest path forward for Kekalainen is likely trading Tuch to the highest bidder ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline in March. He'd be a coveted commodity for Stanley Cup contenders thanks to his versatility and all-around impact, so it'd likely be a hefty return package, at least for a rental.
Yet, there's no doubt that would be a tough sell to Sabres fans, who are delighted to finally see winning hockey again. Turning around and trading one of the team's most important players in the midst of a playoff race could lead to some backlash.
One thing's for sure: The worst possible outcome is keeping Tuch until season's end and then watching him hit the free-agent market without getting anything in return. It'd be terrible asset management at a time when Buffalo can't afford any major mistakes.
All told, the Sabres elevated Kekalainen because he had a history of making bold moves during his time running the Columbus Blue Jackets front office. Now, he's being thrust into immediate duty in Buffalo to solve the Tuch saga.
His choice, whether it be a trade, extension or a risky wait-and-see approach, could very well end up being the defining decision of his time as Sabres GM.