The NHL’s off-season is in full swing with a flurry of trades and contract extensions over the weekend, including a blockbuster deal between the Senators and Panthers that sent captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida.
According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Buffalo Sabres are one of many clubs who remain active in trade scenarios the week of the NHL Draft.
Dreger notes that defenceman Bowen Byram is a hot commodity heading into the final year of his contract. Dreger reported last week that multiple teams had reached out to Buffalo about a potential trade.
Dreger also reports that it’s believed the Sabres have circled back on forward Alex Tuch to see if an extension with him is possible before free agency opens on July 1.
On Bryam, Dreger previously reported that his agent, Darren Ferris, has a history of taking his clients to unrestricted free agency, which is motivating the Sabres toward a potential trade. Byram has a cap hit of $6.25 million next season.
The 25-year-old blueliner posted 11 goals and 42 points in 82 games with the Sabres this past season, adding four goals and seven points in 13 playoff games.
Could Tuch stay in Buffalo?
Regarding Tuch, the veteran forward told reporters at the team’s end-of-season media availabilities in May that general manager Jarmo Kekalainen indicated a desire to sign him ahead of July 1, but Tuch wasn’t yet ready to commit.
“I don’t have a timeline right now,” Tuch said. “I’ve been so focused on hockey and playoffs. Once we finish here today, we’ll start having those conversations with my agent, my wife, my family and the Sabres.”
“I’m going to do whatever is best for myself and my family,” Tuch added, per 7 News WKBW. “I don’t know how the talks are going to go and I don’t know the future.”
The 30-year-old had 33 goals and 66 points in 79 games with the Buffalo Sabres last season, leading them to their first playoff appearance since the 2010-11 campaign.
He added four goals and seven points in 13 playoff games before the Sabres bowed out in the second round.
The 6-foot-4 winger is coming off a seven-year, $33.25 million contract that carried an annual cap hit of $4.75 million.
Tuch was acquired by the Sabres, along with forward Peyton Krebs and two draft picks, from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for centre Jack Eichel in 2021.
The Sabres enter the off-season after ending their 14-year playoff drought this spring. The team was eventually eliminated in Game 7 of their second-round series with the Montreal Canadiens.
However, significant changes could be on the horizon for Kekalainen and the Sabres’ front office as they aim to put Buffalo in a position to follow its 109-point season.
