Total Season Stats: 36-43-79 in 74 games played
Age: 27
Contract Status: Signed through 2025-26, $4,750,000 AAV, will be UFA at the start of the 2026-27 season
The future of Sabres hockey looks bright, with countless motivated, passionate and skilled players on the roster, who have expressed their desire to want to play in Buffalo (unlike some others in the past). However, the player who meets this description that stands out far above the rest is none other than Alex Tuch.
After being traded to Buffalo in November of 2021 as a piece in the Eichel deal with Vegas, Tuch had a solid season in 21-22, and followed it up this year with an even better one. Despite missing eight games with a lower body injury, he was still able to crush his previous numbers in almost every statistical category and was just a few goals away from 40 on the year.
To go along with his career best numbers, Tuch also put up 3+ points in nine different games, had two hat tricks on the season, was the team leader in GWG with nine, was second on the team in plus/minus (+14), and lead all Sabres forwards in TOI at 19:09. So yeah, he made a big impact.
Now while his goal scoring and playmaking are irreplaceable to Buffalo’s lineup, there’s one other thing that Tuch brings to the table that is just as, if not more important: his leadership. Many were calling for Tuch to be in the consideration for Sabres captain at the start of this season, and he demonstrated why that was the case throughout the season both on and off the ice.
To start off, Tuch won the 22-23 Rick Martin Memorial Award, given to the player who fans believe most embodies what it means to be a Sabre, in just his first full season with the team. His good character, personality with the media, impact around the community and the love he has for his teammates were also evident, only further showing why he is so important to not only the Sabres organization, but the entire city of Buffalo.
Returning back to his play on the ice, Tuch’s chemistry with his linemates, especially Thompson and Skinner, made the Sabres one of the most exciting teams in the NHL to watch in 22-23, something fans haven’t been able to say in a long time. If the trio can maintain that level of play into next season, with Tuch staying healthy for a full season, he has a strong chance at having another career year.
As Tuch had many great highlights and big goals throughout the season, it only made sense to include most of them in one video at the end. And hopefully after next season, his highlight tape will include some playoff goals as well.
Season Grade: A+