The Buffalo Sabres have confirmed that forward Alex Tuch will not be re-signing with the team, with speculation mounting that he will join the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal. Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen told media on Wednesday afternoon in Buffalo that the 30-year-old winger is moving on, and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman later reported that Tuch is expected to sign an eight-year contract with the Capitals worth an average annual value of $10.5 million US.
Sabres GM Confirms Tuch Won't Re-Sign
Kekalainen announced the decision during a press conference, stating that Tuch had chosen not to accept the team’s offer. “We made it clear to him that we wanted to sign him … sometimes when players have the power to choose, they choose differently,” Kekalainen said. The GM added that the Sabres are now exploring options, including a potential sign-and-trade to recoup value rather than losing Tuch for nothing in free agency.
If a trade cannot be finalized within the next week, Tuch will become the top forward available when NHL free agency opens on July 1. Kekalainen emphasized the need to evaluate possibilities: “We have to look at our options of whether it’s a sign-and-trade or if we could recoup some value now that we used him as a rental for our own team.”
Tuch's Impact and Career Numbers
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds, Tuch has established himself as a consistent goal-scoring threat in Buffalo. Over the last four seasons, he scored at least 33 goals in three of them, with a peak of 36 goals twice. His previous contract was a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $4.75 million US. Tuch’s potential new contract with Washington would more than double his previous salary.
Tuch’s departure is part of a busy week in the NHL, marked by several major moves. The Ottawa Senators traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers; the Edmonton Oilers hired disgraced former coach Mike Babcock; the St. Louis Blues sent forward Jordan Kyrou to the Capitals for Connor McMichael; Ottawa acquired forward William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks for the ninth pick in the upcoming draft; and Buffalo traded defenceman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Free Agency Implications
With Tuch off the market, the top forwards still headed for unrestricted free agency include Patrick Kane, Anthony Mantha, Boone Jenner, Mason Marchment and Viktor Arvidsson. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who are restructuring for a playoff push, were reportedly among teams that might have considered Tuch, though his expected move to Washington removes that possibility.
The Sabres now face a critical decision: finalize a sign-and-trade with the Capitals or risk losing Tuch without compensation. Kekalainen’s comments suggest the team is leaning toward the former, aiming to secure assets in return for the veteran winger.
