New Situation Involving Alex Tuch Presents Perfect Opportunity for Brad Treliving
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
Alex Tuch's situation in Buffalo is starting to get grim, and according to several sources he could be on the move, giving Brad Treliving the perfect chance to add him to their top-six.
It's a tough time to be a Buffalo Sabres fan recently. Having not made the playoffs in over a decade, and constantly hanging around the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
It's not for a lack of talent, but it seems that whatever is preventing the Sabres from finding success has led to a wealth of that talent leaving town for greener pastures including former second overall pick Jack Eichel.
The team is currently facing the same situation with power forward Alex Tuch, as the pending free agent is no doubt a key part of their team, but is being held back by results.
Tuch's Future in Buffalo Is Suddenly Uncertain
Which is why it hasn't been surprising to hear his name in potential trade rumors however, there may be a little more fire behind that smoke.
According to two separate sources, the Tuch situation in Buffalo is a touchy one and things are very wait and see, but the waiting can only last for so long.
Jeff Marek believes that if the Sabres don't improve by late-November, Tuch is as good as gone, and would want a move out:
I think we're at the point now with the Buffalo Sabres...American Thanksgiving rolls around, how many players are gonna be asking out? Alex Tuch hasn't signed; there's a lot of talk about Tuch around the Oilers.
Couple that with David Pagnotta who while admitting that Tuch does want to stay as long as he can; there's only so much he can take over his career:
He's interested in staying, he has not closed the door on the Sabres at all, but given the circumstances, give where's the team's at...this is gonna take a little bit of time.
Much like Rasmus Dahlin's insistence the team improve, what has GM Kevyn Adams really done to make the Sabres better?
Not too much and their 2025 start couldn't have gone worse; a 4-0 shutout loss to the Rangers and something just doesn't feel connected between the Sabres expectations and their performance.
Why Brad Treliving Should Be Paying Attention
Which is exactly why the Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving need to be keeping eyes and ears open for any rumblings of Tuch wanting out.
Besides the obvious offensive production he would give the team, his size and physicality could give the top-six a completely new look.
Tuch had 67 points in 82 games for the Sabres last year (36 goals, 31 assists) as well as 113 blocks and 73 hits; that's someone who makes the second line a force to be reckoned with.
John Tavares, William Nylander, and Tuch can all combine to have 30-40 goals each, 70-90 points depending on the player, offer an incredible amount of tenacity and finally give that line some much needed size.
It would also allow the team to move on from certain pieces like Nick Robertson and perhaps even Bobby McMann which makes room for Easton Cowan as well; two birds down.
That said, Tuch's free agency wouldn't be an issue, as Toronto can easily re-sign him to a lucrative deal, and have enough to replace smaller names or re-sign a guy like Laughton.
Here's how a potential lineup with Tuch could look like:
Knies - Matthews - Domi
Tuch - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - Maccelli
Lorentz - Laughton - Cowan
Tuch - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - Maccelli
Lorentz - Laughton - Cowan
All of a sudden you have a much more balanced lineup with goal-scoring, playmaking, physicality and grit, not to mention Tuch joins an already huge lineup at 6'4, 220 pounds.
It's the perfect ingredient for this new-look Maple Leafs as they cannot only add a top-six star, but one that fits in with their brand new identity.
