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Alex Tuch's Future in Buffalo in Jeopardy: Possible Crosby Winger?
The Buffalo Sabres have the longest postseason drought in the NHL, and per analyst Elliotte Friedman, they face the risk of losing one of their most important players in pending UFA forward Alex Tuch next summer.
The futility of the Buffalo Sabres is nothing new, as they haven't been in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since April 2011, the longest current drought in the NHL. They are tied for the longest drought in professional sports along with the National Football League's New York Jets.
One of Buffalo's most important forwards in Alex Tuch, who was acquired in the massive Jack Eichel trade in 2021, can become a UFA next summer, and per the latest report from analyst Elliotte Friedman on his '32 Thoughts' podcast, he may want to wait to see what the market yields before agreeing to a new contract.
Elliotte Friedman: I think there's a lot of guys, Alex Tuch, Kyle Connor, all this group of players I think they just want to see...to see how the market resets - 32 Thoughts Podcast (8/23)
Tuch is going to be entering the last year of his current deal with an AAV (average annual value) of $4,750,000.
Last year, he had 67 points (36G, 31A) and was the 2nd leading scorer on the Sabres behind forward Tage Thompson.
Alex Tuch said he didn't give much thought to an extension
Tuch, who was eligible to sign an extension earlier in the summer on July 1, admitted during his team's locker room cleanout day in April that he hasn't thought much of an extension.
I haven't given it too much thought, honestly. I was really focused on this year. I had some goals in mind, playing 82 games and I try to grow as a player each and every day. I haven't given it too much thought.
Tuch was taken 18th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild, but was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
He was traded to the Sabres as part of the blockbuster Jack Eichel deal in 2021.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 24 | 35 ANSWERS Alex Tuch's Future in Buffalo in Jeopardy: Possible Crosby Winger? Will Alex Tuch choose to leave the Sabres if they don't make the playoffs once again? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 80 % |
| No | 7 | 20 % |
| List of polls | ||