Sabres Face Crucial Decision on $33.25M Forward Tuch

Buffalo weighs trade options or keeping Tuch to bolster playoff push

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The Buffalo Sabres are having a strong season and are in a good position in the Atlantic Division. With the playoffs approaching, the front office must make decisions about players with expiring contracts, including forward Alex Tuch. Tuch, an important part of Buffalo's offense and their alternate captain, is at the center of trade and contract discussions as the team weighs its options.

Why it matters

The Sabres do not want to weaken the team, so any trade involving Tuch would have to match his current impact. It is possible that he will remain with Buffalo to help the team in the playoff push. How the Sabres handle this decision will affect both their immediate playoff chances and their long-term planning.

The details

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman spoke about Tuch, saying the Sabres are not going to make their team worse and are leaning towards keeping him as a 'rental' player to make a playoff push. Tuch, 29, has 22 goals and 26 assists in 55 games this season, making him a core part of the team's lineup. His current contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.

  • The Sabres will next face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. ET.
  • Buffalo enters the game with a 32-18-6 record, aiming to maintain its strong position in the Atlantic Division.

The players

Alex Tuch

A 29-year-old forward and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres who has 22 goals and 26 assists in 55 games this season.

Elliotte Friedman

An NHL insider who spoke about the Sabres' decision-making regarding Tuch on the '32 Thoughts' podcast.

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What they’re saying

“They're gonna have an interesting decision to make with Alex Tuch. What I've heard about the Sabres is, they're not gonna make their team worse. Yeah, you can't. I'll say this, that's a team with a lot of picks and prospects. Unless you get a ridiculous offer, I'm keeping him right now. I mean, you've got two weeks out of the Olympics to see if it changes, but if I own the Sabres, I'd be like, 'If it continues this way, he's our own rental. We're going for it.'”

— Elliotte Friedman, NHL Insider (32 Thoughts Podcast)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.