Sabres Need to Extend Alex Tuch This Offseason

Alex Tuch was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 4, 2021, in a deal that saw the Sabres trade franchise cornerstone Jack Eichel. With the Vegas Golden Knights, Tuch recorded 61 goals and 78 assists for 139 points. For the Sabres, he has been even better as he has recorded 105 goals and 136 assists for 241 points in 279 games played. If only we knew how great of a two-way player Tuch would be on the Sabres when they acquired him.

Tuch has one more year left on a seven-year $4.75 million average annual value (AAV) contract, which he signed with the Golden Knights back in 2018. He’s due up for a massive raise, whether it’s this summer or next summer when he’s a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA). This season, he’s recorded 65 points (35 goals and 30 assists) in 80 games played.

Contributing in All Phases of the Game

Tuch has been contributing in more ways than one. Whether it’s even strength, on the power play, penalty kill or whatever else it may be, he’s been phenomenal. Most of his contributions have been at even strength, along with the rest of the team, as they are fourth in the league in even-strength goals for. He has produced 26 even-strength goals and 20 assists this season. Tuch has an expected goals per 60 minutes of 0.79 and a goals per 60 minutes of 1.19 (all stats provided by moneypuck.com).

Moving to the power play, Tuch has struggled to produce all season, but so have the Sabres as a team. The team is 23rd in the league on the power play, posting a below-average 19.0% success rate. He has had his inconsistencies on the power play, but has still created scoring chances on it. Being more of a pillar on the second unit at times, the opportunities have been limited compared to seasons in the past.

Where Tuch has truly excelled this season is on the penalty kill and in his overall defensive game. Shorthanded, he’s been one of the top penalty killers in the entire NHL. He’s scored six shorthanded goals this season, which ties him with Travis Konecny for the most in a single season since Jean-Gabriel Pageau netted seven for the Ottawa Senators back in 2015-16.

Here’s a wild stat for you: Tuch has a shorthanded goals per 60 minutes rate of 2.2 — an absolutely insane number when you consider how rare shorthanded scoring is.

Defensively, Tuch’s impact goes beyond just the penalty kill. He excels at backchecking, forechecking, and maintaining strong positioning. He’s also racked up 109 blocked shots this season — good for second all-time among forwards in a single season since the stat began being tracked in 2006-07, only trailing Mathieu Dandenault, who had 111 blocked shots during the 2006-07 season.

Tuch’s Next Deal: What Should It Look Like?

It’s clear that Tuch has earned himself a significant raise on his next contract. Not only has he posted a strong 0.86 points-per-game average this season, but he’s also proven he can contribute in every situation — 5-on-5, power play, penalty kill, you name it. With his current deal set to expire next offseason, just as he turns 30, a six-year contract at an AAV of around $8 million feels like a fair expectation. Honestly, with the salary cap rising, anything less would be surprising.

But Tuch’s value goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s one of the Sabres’ most consistent and reliable players, a leader on and off the ice, and proudly wears the “A” as an alternate captain. A hometown guy from Syracuse and a lifelong Sabres fan, he’s living out his dream — and he’s got a real chance to finish his career right here in Buffalo.

The Sabres’ front office needs to get ahead of this and lock Tuch up long-term this offseason. He’s earned it — and then some.

Drop your thoughts in the comments: What do you think Tuch’s next contract should look like?