As the Winter Olympic Break ends and the NHL season picks up again, the Buffalo Sabres face important decisions about their team’s future.
The Sabres start the second half of the season still in the playoff race, leading many to think they will be active at the March 6th trade deadline. While they are expected to be buyers, there has been speculation that some of their key players might be traded.
This speculation follows Buffalo’s general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen, telling the players,
“You are all pretty much all expendable, and no one is safe.”
One player widely rumored to be traded by the Sabres is forward Alex Tuch. Tuch is in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The nine-year veteran and Buffalo have been discussing an extension, but they haven’t been able to reach an agreement.
To sustain a high level of performance, the Sabres need to keep Tuch on the roster.
The Rebuild is Over
Buffalo has missed the playoffs for 14 straight years, holding the longest active playoff drought in the NHL, and has been rebuilding during that time. With the playoffs finally approaching, the rebuild is coming to a close. Trading a player like Tuch is a move you make during a rebuild, and it would be a step backward for the team. Playoff teams typically add players like him, not subtract them.
Tuch’s return would involve draft picks and young, unproven prospects who wouldn’t help the Sabres make a playoff push anytime soon. Buffalo should focus on acquiring experienced players who can make an immediate impact, rather than those who need time to develop.
The Sabres have been working for years to end the rebuild, and trading a top contributor would send the wrong message to the players and fans.
Veteran Presence
One of the most critical factors for a team making the playoffs is having veteran players with postseason experience — something Buffalo currently lacks. The Sabres are the youngest team in the NHL, with an average age of 25.93, and most players have little to no playoff experience.
Tuch brings the experience and leadership that the team desperately needs. He was part of the Vegas Golden Knights team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2018 and has appeared in the playoffs three other times. Having a player like this on your team is essential in April and May.
Tuch plays a crucial leadership role for the team’s younger players, and removing that presence could disrupt their progress. Buffalo needs more leaders, so trading away the team’s biggest leader would be a serious mistake.
Time for an Extension
The Sabres haven’t had a team this talented since their playoff drought started in 2012, and much of that is thanks to Tuch’s skill and leadership.
If the Sabres want to be serious contenders this season and beyond, then Tuch needs to be extended soon. Regarding the trade deadline, Buffalo should acquire a veteran who can mentor and lead this team through the playoffs.
The Sabres have made great progress, and it would be a shame to see them lose it all just because they couldn’t extend Tuch.
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