​By every measure, the 2025-26 season was a resounding success for the Buffalo Sabres. They began December at a .500 pace and, after parting ways with general manager Kevyn Adams, embarked on an extraordinary run that culminated in them finishing first in their division—an achievement not seen since 2007—and earning a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011. The Sabres defeated their divisional foe, the Boston Bruins, in the opening round, but were eliminated in seven games by the Montreal Canadiens in the next round, another internal battle within the division.
Heading into the current offseason, the Sabres have several notable roster developments, highlighted most prominently by forward Alex Tuch. Tuch was traded to the Washington Capitals in exchange for forward David Kampf and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. He subsequently signed an eight-year contract worth $84 million with the Capitals, locking him into the nation’s capital through 2034. The move marks a significant shift for Tuch, who arrived in Buffalo via the high-profile Jack Eichel deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. Explaining his decision to depart his hometown team, Tuch cited business considerations above all else.
“There was, as some might call it, the 11th-hour push there,” Tuch said. “And there was a push. I really did appreciate it. They came up, in money terms. I’m not going to get into specifics, but there was still a gap. It didn’t work out, and that’s the nature of the business. If you look at it—if they’d get me closer to my number, they’d have to move pieces out, so I understand that part of the business. I get it.”
Tuch also acknowledged the emotional complexity of returning to Buffalo in an opponent’s uniform. He noted that the experience would be difficult but ultimately manageable, recognizing that the raw moment would sting when he skates back into the arena and faces the fans he once played for.
“The emotional roller coaster of it all, looking back, isn’t that big a deal, I guess,” he said. “It’s going to hit hard when I go back to Buffalo and play in front of those fans again. I know that.”
By late June, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen signaled a recognition of the likely outcome regarding Tuch’s contract extension. With limited progress in talks, Kekalainen suggested that Tuch would likely enter free agency rather than re-sign with Buffalo, compelling the organization to assess its other options.
“I don’t think at this point that we’ve reached any point in our discussions that would indicate he’d want to sign with us,” Kekalainen remarked. “So I think he’s moving on, getting into free agency, and now we’ve got to look at our options.”
Tuch, who was originally drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the first round (18th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, began his NHL career with the Sabres during the 2016-17 season before being claimed by the Golden Knights in the 2017 Expansion Draft. Across the first 615 games of his professional career, Tuch has tallied 200 goals and 248 assists, a testament to his scoring ability and playmaking.
As the Sabres move forward, they will continue to evaluate the pieces on their roster and pursue the best possible path to sustained success. The impact of Tuch’s departure on the team’s strategy will be watched closely, as Buffalo looks to maintain its momentum and build a competitive core for the seasons to come.