NHL Rumors: Will the Buffalo Sabres and Alex Tuch Make a Deal?

Alex Tuch and Buffalo Sabres Want to Make Things Work

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet joined Scott Laughlin and Gord Stellick on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio Morning Skate on Wednesday. There, he was asked about Alex Tuch and whether he would be back with the Buffalo Sabres.

NHLRumors.com Transcriptions

The Buffalo Sabres Have to Re-sign Alex Tuch

Scott Laughlin: “Freidge, last one here for you too, and Gord mentioned Alex Tuck. Did his lack of productivity in the Canadiens series cost him some money? And ultimately, do you see him circling back to Buffalo?”

Elliotte Friedman: “I believe that they will try everything they can to get that done. Obviously, the two of them haven’t hit the sweet spot yet. I think, look, he had a bad series. There’s no question about it. I can’t argue with that, but Buffalo doesn’t get there without him, and sometimes we all have recency bias, and we look back at the last thing that happened. But overall, he’s been good for Buffalo, and Buffalo has been good for him.

I think he wants to be there. I think they want him there. I think both sides may have to compromise a little bit, but I think the Sabres are also aware that one of the reasons they had the season they did and won their division was because of the big role that Tuck played with them. I think they will look big picture, and I think it’s going to take compromise on both sides, but I think both sides want to get it done, and for that reason, I, until I’m proven wrong, I think that if both sides are willing to give up a little something, I think it gets done.”

NHLRumors.com Note: One of the prized free agents this off-season on the board is Alex Tuch. We saw players like Adrian Kempe, Martin Necas, and Kyle Connor sign for over $10 million. Is that an avenue the Sabres want to go with Tuch? As NHLRumors.com has documented, Tuch spoke with the media on Wednesday to address his future.

NHL Rumors: Buffalo Sabres Need to Re-Sign Alex Tuch

Paul Hamilton: “Tuch said he just doesn’t know how this is all going to unfold for him. He said he loves this team and playing here, but he’s going to do what’s best for him and his family and that’s the most important thing.”