Tuch Talk and Power Problems
1. Sabres Need to Get it Right With Tuch
Alex Tuch is playing in the final year of a seven-year, $33.25 million contract with a $4.75 million annual cap hit. That deal was originally signed with the Vegas Golden Knights back in 2018. The Sabres and Tuch’s agent, Brian Bartlett, have currently put contract extension talks on the “back burner” to allow Tuch to focus on the current season. Speculation is that Buffalo and the versatile forward are far apart on either salary, term or both. Frankly, this is not a good sign. The Sabres want to keep him and Alex wants to stay, but it appears that Tuch and his agent are shooting for the Moon here. There is no doubt he has earned a huge raise and a guaranted longer term. But I feel Alex and company have an unrealistic salary and term length in mind. Something like 11.5 million or more for eight years is my guess. As of the current 2025-2026 NHL season, the maximum contract term is eight years for a player re-signing with their own team.
Tuch is 29 years old and he will be around 38 when that deal would end. Chances are very good he will not be near the level he is at now. In fact, five years into that contract I expect his production to be way down. That is the first issue, the term. But if Alex wants my speculated 11.5 million a year or more, I’m sorry, he is just not worth that, mostly on the back end. Especially for a team that has been down and out as long as we have. If he was driving the Sabres to winning season after winning season, I would feel different. Some might say the success of the team should not dictate a player’s salary. It shouldn’t for the most part, but it does factor in. (at least to me it does)
Tuch is set to be one of the most highly sought-after unrestricted free agents on the market in July 2026 if he remains unsigned. The Sabres cannot let it get to that point. Remember Linus Ullmark? GM Kevyn Adams had faith he could still get a deal done with our former goalie but he was gone before you could say Boston Bruins. If the two sides remain at an impasse, Tuch must be dealt. And not in the final hours of trade deadline day either. We would require a “hockey trade” for him, player for player. Or something in the Peterka for Kesselring/Doan deal realm. For me, that means either a new contract for the Syracuse native or a Tuch trade by the end of February. Adams cannot be scrambling for a fair deal last minute. Besides, most teams are only offering futures at the deadline.
The Sabres can ill afford to be stingy here but they have to play this smart too. Even at 10 million a year for a full eight seasons, that is money that won’t be fully warranted on the backend. Sure, it keeps Alex here and happy but the deal won’t age well for Buffalo. But that might be what it takes. For me, Tuch and his agent should give a little on this. $10 x 6 is fair and reasonable or even $9.2 x the full 8. Either of those contracts is about double his current salary and takes care of him for the rest of his life. If 11.5 million or even higher is the number they want, especially with the 8 years of term, I’m forced to move him. It’s certainly not my wish but the team can’t get buried in a long contract of that magnitude for an aging player. (once he hits 33, 34 years old) If he was still 26 or 27, sure, but he is closing in on 30 years old now. Sorry Alex, you are a great player and the blue collar, two-way forward we need, but not at that steep price and term length. We all remain hopeful for a deal that is mutually beneficial to both parties.
Low on Power
Former 1st overall pick Owen Power is a talented player for Buffalo. He has put up solid offensive numbers so far in his career and sometimes looks the part, worthy of his draft status. Other times, not so much. The same could be said for him this year specifically. He’ll have a game where he looks good, does all the right things…then follow it up with a stinker. His defensive game remains a problem as he often loses his man for costly goals against. His physical game will never be there but he has taken some baby steps in that area at least. Power is now in his 4th full season and an impatient fan base would like to see more advancement in his defense. He doesn’t seem to be accelerating nearly enough with a good amount of NHL experience now. But he is still just 22 years old, plenty of time to develop more and add some snarl to his game.
As far as this season, Power is not only struggling in his own zone at times, he is not contributing on offense enough either. Through ten games, (as of this writing) he has 1 goal and 3 assists, only a 32 point pace. It is still early, so that could change quickly with a good game or two. He scored 40 last year and has at least 33 points scored in his first three full seasons, so he is behind his normal pace right now. Expectations are higher than that, and his point totals this year should reflect that. Personally, I had Owen pegged for about 50 points this season and 60 somewhere further down the road. If he was scoring more, it might be a little easier to overlook his defensive deficiencies. Right now, Power is toiling at both ends of the ice with less than ideal results.
They say an NHL defenseman does not peak until he is 25 years old, so we have time with Owen. But I also understand the frustration in the fan base. Especially when we see other number one picks after Power have so much success already. The temptation to “Just trade him” is there, moreso when the Sabres have a need for a number one center. Power has value, surely he could bring in a number two center at least who could be elevated to the role. Josh Norris remains out and might never be a dependable option again for number one center. For now, when the Sabres do have Norris in the lineup, it should be looked at as a bonus. A blessing even. But unless Kulich really blossoms into a stud, Buffalo may have to look elsewhere to fill the void of Norris. Power could supply that, via a trade. He is probably the most expendable talented player the Sabres have while still holding value league wide.
Would the Sabres even go that route? Probably not, especially with Adams still in the GM chair. A new GM might consider it more. Meanwhile, Buffalo needs more out of Owen Power, that is the truth of it. At both ends of the ice. The team should still show patience with him but he needs to step it up a notch. He is too much of a passenger for the Sabres when he needs to more of a driving force. Being an NHL defenseman isn’t easy, especially with Power’s loftly expectations. We can give you more time Owen, but you need to give us better stages of improvement here soon.