February 19, 2025 | 12:28PM ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

TUCH DRAWS INTEREST, BUT UNLIKELY TO MOVE

Alex Tuch, forward

The Buffalo Sabres remain very engaged in trade discussions with other clubs as they look to retool for the 2025-26 campaign.

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the Sabres this season, with the likes of Dylan Cozens, Bowen Byram and Owen Power’s names tossed around the rumour mill, as Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams has been looking to make a bold move to shake up his roster moving forward.

While Cozens is still believed to be in play, the Sabres are not interested in moving him for future assets and prospects – and the same can be said for any of their young stars.

Speculation has also picked up over forward Alex Tuch, with teams reportedly showing interest.

However, during Tuesday’s edition of “The Latest” on TFP with Kate Petterson and David Pagnotta, Pagnotta reported the Sabres are looking to make big hockey deals, but they are not interested in moving Tuch, who has one more year remaining on his contract after this season.

“Kevyn Adams would like to get a head start on things going into the summer and leading into next season. Their mindset focused towards the playoffs for next season,” Pagnotta said. “Obviously, everything’s written on the wall right now for this year, but they want to get a head start on things. And that’s why we’ve heard Cozens so often this season. He is available, but they want to make a big hockey type move involving any of their young studs.

“Now, there are a lot of teams that have called and inquired about Alex Tuch. My understanding is he’s not untouchable, but he’s close. Him, Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin – those two guys not on the market. Alex Tuch is as close to that as he can get. Unless they’re making a significant hockey trade and almost an upgrade, I don’t see Alex Tuch getting moved ahead of the deadline. They’re not gonna move him for futures. Buffalo doesn’t want draft picks and young prospects. They want NHL caliber studs now if they’re gonna move any of theirs.

“You're probably gonna hear Tuch a little bit more, they are 30-31 teams that would love to get their hands on this guy. But unless they’re blown out of the water, Tuch isn’t going anywhere.”

Forwards Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway, defencemen Henri Jokiharju,Jacob Bryson and Dennis Gilbert, and goaltender James Reimer, are all playing on expiring contracts and could be moved by deadline day.

The Sabres have expressed interest in signing Zucker to an extension, but failing to do so by March 7 could result in the team trading him to a contender in need of secondary scoring.

Aside from selling off potential rental pieces, Adams will continue to scour the market for a bolder move that adds to the core of his roster.

“We’re going to continue to hear Cozens, we’ll continue to hear Bowen Byram, even Owen Power,” Pagnotta added. “But unless we’re talking about talent-for-talent type swaps, Buffalo’s going to kind of hang tight, but they are getting a head start and have continued (talks) this season.”