The Buffalo Sabres have flipped the script this season - and no one embodies that transformation more than Alex Tuch.
Not long ago, Tuch’s name was floating around as a potential trade chip. He’s on an expiring contract, and with the Sabres still in rebuild-adjacent territory, it made sense on paper. But hockey isn’t played on paper - and the Sabres have stopped losing.
Now, instead of fielding trade calls, Tuch is talking Stanley Cup. Yes, that Stanley Cup.
From a team that hasn’t seen the postseason in over a decade and a half, that might sound bold. But if you’ve been watching the Sabres lately, it doesn’t sound outlandish - it sounds like belief.
And that’s what makes the next few weeks so fascinating. Tuch is still on that same expiring deal.
The front office still has to think long-term. But how do you justify moving a veteran forward with playoff experience - a guy who’s been through deep runs before - when your team is finally making noise?
This isn’t just about sentiment. Tuch’s presence on the ice and in the locker room has been a stabilizing force for a young, hungry roster.
He plays with pace, power, and purpose - and he’s been through the battles. That kind of leadership doesn’t grow on trees, and in a playoff push, it’s often the difference between surviving and advancing.
There’s a legitimate argument to keep him, even if it means risking losing him for nothing in the summer. This is the Sabres’ best shot at the playoffs in 15 years.
Trading away a key piece now could send the wrong message to a team that’s finally found its stride. And let’s not ignore the fact that Tuch wants to be in Buffalo.
That matters - especially in a market that’s been waiting this long for a winner.
Of course, there’s another side to this. Some around the league believe Tuch’s reputation may slightly outpace his production.
If Buffalo could flip him for a younger, longer-term asset, it wouldn’t necessarily derail their playoff hopes - especially if they believe in their depth. It’s a classic deadline dilemma: short-term reward versus long-term return.
But here’s the thing - the Sabres are rolling. The energy around this team is different.
The vibes are real, and Tuch is right in the middle of it. He’s not just a name on the roster - he’s part of the identity this team is building.
And when a group starts to believe in itself the way Buffalo is right now, sometimes the smartest move is to ride the wave and see where it takes you.
So, what do you do if you’re the Sabres? You weigh the future, yes.
But you also recognize the moment. And right now, the moment feels bigger than a trade chip.
It feels like a team - and a fan base - that’s ready to believe again.