Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch and the team have decided to table contract extension talks, according to Tuch's agent, Brian Bartlett. With Tuch entering the final year of his seven-year, $33.25 million contract, he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Bartlett addressed the situation in an interview with Irfaan Gaffar and David Pagnotta on the "DFO Rundown Inside Edition," stating that negotiations have been put on the "back burner". He emphasized that this decision doesn't signify a closed door to future negotiations, but rather a strategic pause to allow Tuch to concentrate on the team's performance.
"We weren't able to kind of get to what made a deal before the season. And then at this point, we've just put it on the back burner," Bartlett explained. He noted that there had been consistent and positive communication between his team and the Sabres throughout the offseason, with both sides expressing a desire for Tuch to remain in Buffalo long-term. "(Sabres GM) Kevyn Adams and the staff there, have very clearly and effectively communicated that the Buffalo Sabres would like Alex Tuch to re-sign long term".
The decision to halt negotiations comes as the Sabres face a challenging start to the 2025-26 season, holding a 1-3-0 record. Bartlett indicated that the primary reason for pausing talks is to eliminate distractions and allow Tuch, a key leader both on and off the ice, to focus on helping the team secure wins. "I think we've all kind of decided that it's best to just try to get some wins here," Bartlett said.
Tuch, 29, is highly regarded within the Sabres organization and is coming off a strong season where he matched his career high with 36 goals and contributed 31 assists in 82 games. Throughout his 540 career games with the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Sabres, Tuch has recorded 168 goals and 217 assists. Originally drafted 18th overall by the Wild in 2014, he was later traded to the Golden Knights and played a significant role in their inaugural Stanley Cup Final appearance.
The current situation presents several possibilities. If the Sabres' struggles continue, Tuch could become a valuable trade asset leading up to the trade deadline. Conversely, an improvement in the team's performance could reignite extension talks and solidify Tuch's future in Buffalo.
For now, both Tuch and the Sabres are prioritizing the immediate goal of improving the team's performance. The decision to postpone contract discussions reflects a mutual understanding of the importance of focusing on the present season and minimizing potential distractions.
