Buffalo Sabres fans are all abuzz with the same pressing question: Could they really consider trading Alex Tuch?
Tuch is in the final year of his contract, and while extension talks haven't made much headway, he's a vital part of a team eager to break a 14-year playoff drought. His commitment isn't just talk; Tuch has expressed a desire not only to make the playoffs but to chase the Stanley Cup. That's the kind of belief you want in your locker room.
What's intriguing is that the Sabres are ahead of schedule. This season wasn't supposed to be about playoff contention, yet here they are. Initially, the plan might have been to trade Tuch by the March 6 deadline, but their unexpected success has muddied those waters.
ESPN's Greg Wyshynski offers a word of caution: trading Tuch is still on the table. "It's hard to imagine Buffalo trading that kind of player while seeking their first postseason berth since 2011," Wyshynski notes.
Talks have been ongoing for a long time, first with former GM Kevyn Adams and now with Jarmo Kekalainen, but no long-term deal is in sight. Even without an extension, the Sabres might feel comfortable keeping Tuch through the deadline with the playoffs in reach.
But Kekalainen's pragmatic approach means nothing is off the table.
The Sabres' impressive season could also increase Tuch's trade value. They wouldn't let him go for anything less than a deal that strengthens their future.
For Sabres fans, the thought of losing Tuch is unsettling. They'll likely be on edge until the trade deadline passes.