Alex Tuch contract talks

[inkman]

16 hours ago, SabresBillsFan said:

Better than a guy that can’t stay healthy and is getting paid more.

He’s a net negative so it’s actually bad that’s Dylan is playing. 

[LGR4GM]

23 minutes ago, Eli Cash said:

In all seriousness, I am starting to think the Bills’ bye week might be the time Terry starts making decisions on the Sabres.  

What's going to happen is Terry is going to get bombarded with all the fury over his terrible Sabres franchise and because Terry can't handle that, he'll force Adams to sign Tuch to whatever because Terry will think it generates good news and Adams will do whatever he's told.

[Eli Cash]

9 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

What's going to happen is Terry is going to get bombarded with all the fury over his terrible Sabres franchise and because Terry can't handle that, he'll force Adams to sign Tuch to whatever because Terry will think it generates good news and Adams will do whatever he's told.

That’s definitely possible.  I think this bye week brings changes to the Sabres, Bills, or both.

[DarthEbriate]

7 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

What's going to happen is Terry is going to get bombarded with all the fury over his terrible Sabres franchise and because Terry can't handle that, he'll force Adams to sign Tuch to whatever because Terry will think it generates good news and Adams will do whatever he's told.

This is the most likely outcome. But there's a part of me that remembers O'Reilly. If Tuch says the wrong thing or looks like he's lost the love (thus far he hasn't - he still says he wants to be here), then Terry's purse strings tighten up instantly. He traded ROR before that bonus kicked in to avoid paying him. He could flip on a proverbial dime and demand Tuch gets moved.

Sadly, through 3 games, one of their best players has been in full self-preservation mode. He should be playing like mad in a contract year --- but he isn't which leads me to believe he's really isn't interested in the open market, just in getting the deal done with the Sabres. He doesn't look like he's auditioning for the league. He looks like he's settling in and waiting out the Adams Gravy Train payout.

[Taro T]

Did the US Olympic team run any workouts this summer with the expanded roster they released a couple of months back that had Thompson and Tuch both on that list?

The reason for the Q is: do they already know they AREN'T making the US squad?  Asking that because Thompson especially, but Tuch too, seem to be "off" this year.  If they knew/ know they aren't going to be going to the Olympics, could that be part of their problem?  

Or flip side, are they so concerned about making that team that they're gripping their sticks too tight and playing quite poorly for what they'd been expected to bring?

Hadn't heard anything at all about the Olympic rosters, but thought maybe some here have heard something.

[mjd1001]

10 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

Sadly, through 3 games, one of their best players has been in full self-preservation mode. He should be playing like mad in a contract year --- but he isn't which leads me to believe he's really isn't interested in the open market, just in getting the deal done with the Sabres. He doesn't look like he's auditioning for the league. He looks like he's settling in and waiting out the Adams Gravy Train payout.

I haven't watched the games live, but I did watch them on replay, so take this for what you will...just my opinion.

I think through 3 games Tuch is playing like he normally does, with ONE exception. He's staying away from the net on the offensive zone. Everything I saw when watching him, his skating, his forcheck, seems the same...the one thing that stood out is he is just keeping to the perimeter on the offensive zone a lot more than he did last year.

He doesn't have many shots yet, but if you look at a heat map of where he has taken them from, it backs this up.

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, Taro T said:

Did the US Olympic team run any workouts this summer with the expanded roster they released a couple of months back that had Thompson and Tuch both on that list?

The reason for the Q is: do they already know they AREN'T making the US squad?  Asking that because Thompson especially, but Tuch too, seem to be "off" this year.  If they knew/ know they aren't going to be going to the Olympics, could that be part of their problem?  

Or flip side, are they so concerned about making that team that they're gripping their sticks too tight and playing quite poorly for what they'd been expected to bring?

Hadn't heard anything at all about the Olympic rosters, but thought maybe some here have heard something.

Interesting comments Taro.  

The only players the US Olympic Team decided on are Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, and Matthew Tkachuk.  The rest is decided in January.  Matt Tkachuk is out until late December, maybe longer.  Olympics start Feb 5th.  

Tuch and Thompson should be going hard because what they do now really counts.  With injuries there could be surprises.  With Zito helping select players I think that players that are gritty and tough will be prioritized, after skill of course.  

Tuch was dinged up in camp, he might be nursing something.  He also can be streaky and break out at anytime.  Moving Tuch up with Thompson and Benson will help him get going.  I hope that line sticks for awhile and all three get going. 

Edited Wednesday at 12:49 AM by Pimlach

[rickshaw]

I wonder if a Tuch for Elias Pettersson trade has been discussed between the expansion cousins? Just spit balling.

[Brawndo]

Per Tuch’s Agent 

“The communication, as you mentioned, has been good, been consistent throughout the summer,” Bartlett said. “You know, we had some good conversations, got kind of the parameters of whatever everyone was thinking. It’s very clear to us that the Buffalo Sabres would like Alex Tuch to re-sign long term. That’s been communicated very well, very clearly, very effectively by (Sabres GM) Kevyn Adams and the staff there. And I think hopefully we’ve communicated back to them that Alex would be very happy to stay in Buffalo, as well.
 

“We weren’t able to kind of get to what made a deal before the season. And then at this point, we’ve just put it on the backburner.”

 

This is as on the DFO Podcast 

[thewookie1]

39 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Per Tuch’s Agent 

“The communication, as you mentioned, has been good, been consistent throughout the summer,” Bartlett said. “You know, we had some good conversations, got kind of the parameters of whatever everyone was thinking. It’s very clear to us that the Buffalo Sabres would like Alex Tuch to re-sign long term. That’s been communicated very well, very clearly, very effectively by (Sabres GM) Kevyn Adams and the staff there. And I think hopefully we’ve communicated back to them that Alex would be very happy to stay in Buffalo, as well.
 

“We weren’t able to kind of get to what made a deal before the season. And then at this point, we’ve just put it on the backburner.”

 

This is as on the DFO Podcast 

Effectively both sides would be happy to make a deal but will wait for now.

[darksabre]

45 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Per Tuch’s Agent 

“The communication, as you mentioned, has been good, been consistent throughout the summer,” Bartlett said. “You know, we had some good conversations, got kind of the parameters of whatever everyone was thinking. It’s very clear to us that the Buffalo Sabres would like Alex Tuch to re-sign long term. That’s been communicated very well, very clearly, very effectively by (Sabres GM) Kevyn Adams and the staff there. And I think hopefully we’ve communicated back to them that Alex would be very happy to stay in Buffalo, as well.
 

“We weren’t able to kind of get to what made a deal before the season. And then at this point, we’ve just put it on the backburner.”

 

This is as on the DFO Podcast 

No reason not to wait.

Either someone develops into a Tuch replacement and we can trade him, or he has such a good season that it's a no-brainer to extend him.

[JohnC]

46 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Per Tuch’s Agent 

“The communication, as you mentioned, has been good, been consistent throughout the summer,” Bartlett said. “You know, we had some good conversations, got kind of the parameters of whatever everyone was thinking. It’s very clear to us that the Buffalo Sabres would like Alex Tuch to re-sign long term. That’s been communicated very well, very clearly, very effectively by (Sabres GM) Kevyn Adams and the staff there. And I think hopefully we’ve communicated back to them that Alex would be very happy to stay in Buffalo, as well.
 

“We weren’t able to kind of get to what made a deal before the season. And then at this point, we’ve just put it on the backburner.”

 

This is as on the DFO Podcast 

The best thing that Tuch can do to move the negotiation needle closer to his side is to have a good year, and better yet a good start of the season. 

[Taro T]

6 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

Effectively both sides would be happy to make a deal but will wait for now.

Shades of Chris Drury.  Though doubt the problem with this one was Pegula leaving an agreed to contract sitting on his desk for a few weeks before getting around to ok-ing it.

[thewookie1]

38 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Shades of Chris Drury.  Though doubt the problem with this one was Pegula leaving an agreed to contract sitting on his desk for a few weeks before getting around to ok-ing it.

Big difference is Tuch doesn't have some weird obsession with playing for the Rangers

[Thorny]

40 minutes ago, darksabre said:

No reason not to wait.

Either someone develops into a Tuch replacement and we can trade him, or he has such a good season that it's a no-brainer to extend him.

Given the recent history of the franchise I struggle with the breakdown that only leaves room for beneficial outcomes 

If I had to guess it more so looks like a case where we will lose a player we want unless we make the playoffs 

[Weave]

13 minutes ago, Thorny said:

Given the recent history of the franchise I struggle with the breakdown that only leaves room for beneficial outcomes 

If I had to guess it more so looks like a case where we will lose a player we want unless we make the playoffs 

That is the sense I get as well.  Cynical as always for me.

Ive said in the past that waiting until a player is in their pending FA year and trading them at the deadline is negligence.  It minimizes the return.  If KA feels the same way, this should be the last games we see Tuch in a Sabres sweater.

Fookin shame, really.

[Mr Peabody]

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/oct-2025/tuch-contract-talks-put-on-backburner-says-agent
 

smart move.  I interpret this as we’ll wait and see who’s who in the zoo going forward. 

[That Aud Smell]

Christ.

Losing Tuch for a discounted, in-season trade return would be such a stomach punch.

Strike that, actually. It would be a forceful steel-toe boot kick in the ribs.

A stomach punch would suggest that, as a hockey fan, I'm still standing. I'm not. I'm more laying on the ground in a vaguely fetal position.

I would not blame the guy one bit for not re-signing here.

[darksabre]

37 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

Christ.

Losing Tuch for a discounted, in-season trade return would be such a stomach punch.

Strike that, actually. It would be a forceful steel-toe boot kick in the ribs.

A stomach punch would suggest that, as a hockey fan, I'm still standing. I'm not. I'm more laying on the ground in a vaguely fetal position.

I would not blame the guy one bit for not re-signing here.

I can't imagine having such strong feelings about Alex Tuch. 

[That Aud Smell]

3 hours ago, darksabre said:

I can't imagine having such strong feelings about Alex Tuch. 

this made me chuckle.

i'm just saying: indisputably top-6 NHL forward declines to re-sign with (hometown) team ... that would suck.

[nucci]

23 hours ago, thewookie1 said:

Effectively both sides would be happy to make a deal but will wait for now.

or Tuch doesn't really want to sign

[darksabre]

1 hour ago, That Aud Smell said:

this made me chuckle.

i'm just saying: indisputably top-6 NHL forward declines to re-sign with (hometown) team ... that would suck.

I guess. I'm not sure I care that he has some local connection. It's not like he's a superstar like Tim Connolly was/could have been.

He's more Donald Audette. Which is... fine. 

[thewookie1]

41 minutes ago, nucci said:

or Tuch doesn't really want to sign

I highly doubt that is the case; even if he hates how the Sabres have been of late he most certainly still would likely have an underlying desire to stay here.

[mjd1001]

26 minutes ago, darksabre said:

I guess. I'm not sure I care that he has some local connection. It's not like he's a superstar like Tim Connolly was/could have been.

He's more Donald Audette. Which is... fine. 

I think Tuch is a step above Donald Audette. He is a winger than two of the past 3 years has scored between 35 and 40 goals. He led the league in short-handed goals last year. He has been the best forward in plus minus on the team... Deep into the positive territory on a team that has been negative. He's one of the best forcheckers in the league. 

Right now today, Tuch is one of the best all-around, every situation, top six wingers in the league, that can do pretty much everything and play in any position for any team. Hes not a game changer but he's just a half step below that category for a winger.

The problem is right now he's at his peak. You have him this year in that peak year no matter what happens. Next year you might get 95 to 98% of what he has to offer now as he enters his early thirties. The year after that it might be 90 to 95%. After that, who knows how quick the decline will be. 

That's why I have doubts about extending him. You'd love him for two more years, you have him for one. Once you get into 3 and 4 years out, I have no idea what he's going to be but I'm confident he won't be exactly what he is now.

[matter2003]

On 10/14/2025 at 9:47 AM, Eli Cash said:

That’s definitely possible.  I think this bye week brings changes to the Sabres, Bills, or both.

Zero chance any structure change happens with the Bills. Actually so far below zero, it's absurd to even bring it up.