Sabres Face Pivotal Decision on Alex Tuch as Trade Deadline Looms
As the NHL trade deadline draws closer, the Buffalo Sabres find themselves at a crossroads with one of their most important players. Winger Alex Tuch, a hometown favorite and a key piece of the team’s recent resurgence, is inching toward unrestricted free agency this summer. And that’s put general manager Jarmo Kekalainen in a tough spot: trade Tuch now and risk derailing a playoff push, or keep him as a high-stakes “own rental” and gamble on a long-term deal later.
According to Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Buffalo’s front office has made its stance known in conversations around the league. The message? They’re not interested in taking a step backward.
“They're not gonna make their team worse,” Friedman said. “Unless you get a ridiculous offer, I’m keeping him right now… If it continues this way, he’s our own rental. We’re going for it.”
That approach echoes what many fans have been feeling for weeks. Earlier this season, when the Sabres were stuck near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, moving Tuch for picks or prospects seemed inevitable.
But things have changed-dramatically. Buffalo has surged back into the playoff picture, and suddenly the idea of trading away one of their most impactful forwards feels like a step in the wrong direction.
This isn’t just about sentimentality or loyalty to a local kid. Tuch has been a two-way force for Buffalo, bringing energy, leadership, and a scoring touch that’s tough to replicate.
He’s the kind of player who helps you win in April and May, not just rack up points in January. And for a franchise that hasn’t seen playoff hockey in 14 years, that kind of presence matters more than ever.
A New Era, A New Mentality
Kekalainen took over in mid-December, and his arrival has marked a noticeable shift in tone. Gone are the days of excuses and passive roster management. Under former GM Kevyn Adams, the Sabres often stood still when action was needed most-none more glaring than during a 13-game losing streak last season that torpedoed their playoff hopes.
Now, with Kekalainen at the helm, the Sabres are playing with purpose. The results speak for themselves: 21 wins in their last 26 games.
But the work isn’t done. If the Sabres want to make real noise in the postseason, they’ll need reinforcements-particularly up front.
The top-six forward group could use another offensive weapon, someone who can create chances, finish plays, and help revive a power play that’s been inconsistent. Injuries have exposed the team’s lack of depth, and a skilled addition could be the difference between sneaking into the playoffs and actually making a run.
Beyond the top six, Buffalo could also benefit from adding some grit and experience to the bottom of the lineup. The fourth line and third defensive pair have been areas of concern for much of the year, and a few battle-tested veterans could stabilize those groups heading into the stretch run.
Big Names, Big Questions
Whether Kekalainen swings big at the deadline remains to be seen. Names like Artemi Panarin, Nazem Kadri, and Robert Thomas have been floated as potential targets across the league. Landing a player of that caliber would require a bold move and a significant package going the other way-but it would also send a clear message to the locker room: we’re in this to win now.
And that message is crucial, especially when it comes to Tuch.
Trading him now, in the middle of a red-hot stretch, could send the wrong signal to a team that’s finally found its identity. It’s not just about what he brings on the ice-though that alone would be tough to replace-it’s about what his presence represents.
He’s a leader. He’s a tone-setter.
And for a team trying to change its narrative, that kind of player is invaluable.
There’s no perfect solution here. Letting Tuch walk in free agency without getting anything in return would sting.
Locking him into an eight-year, $10.5 million-per-season deal might be too rich for the Sabres’ long-term plans. But right now, neither of those decisions needs to be made.
Let the Season Play Out
The best play for Buffalo is to stay the course. Keep Tuch.
Add where you can. Show this roster that the front office believes in them.
Then let the chips fall where they may.
If the Sabres make the playoffs and show they’re building something real, maybe Tuch decides to stick around-possibly even at a hometown discount. If not, then the team can reassess in July. But trading him now, for futures that won’t help for years, feels like a step backward at a time when the Sabres are finally moving forward.
This is a pivotal moment for Buffalo. After more than a decade of false starts and frustration, the Sabres are finally in the mix. Now it’s up to Kekalainen to keep the momentum going-and that starts with keeping Alex Tuch right where he is.