Forward Alex Tuch is heading to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade with a third-round pick going back to the Buffalo Sabres, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
The Caps and Tuch will then reach an eight-year, $84 million extension that carries a cap hit of $10.5 million.
This comes after Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen told reporters earlier Wednesday that Tuch would not be returing to the Sabres despite the team wanting to re-sign him. He said they were looking at a sign-and-trade in an effort to recoup assets.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported earlier this week the Sabres were trying to circle back on signing Tuch to an extension before free agency opens next week. TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported Tuesday evening that even after the team opened up cap space with the move to send defenceman Bowen Byram to Chicago as part of a package involving the No. 4 overall pick, the sense was it still would not change the direction of talks with Tuch.
LeBrun reported earlier Wednesday afternoon the Sabres made a “pretty solid” offer to Tuch, but could not reach a deal.
The 30-year-old was noncommittal about his future in Buffalo at the team’s season-ending media availability last month.
“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.”
Tuch was acquired in a trade with Vegas in November of 2021 after signing a seven-year contract as a member of the Golden Knights in October of 2018.
Tuch had 33 goals and 33 assists for 66 points in 79 games for the Sabres this past season, helping Buffalo return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. He was the third-ranked player on TSN’s Top 30 NHL Free Agents list released earlier this month.
Kekalainen: Byram wouldn’t sign extension
Kekalainen expanded on Tuesday’s Bowen Byram trade, telling reporters the blueliner was not willing to negotiate an extension with the Sabres before the trade to Chicago.
“We like Bowen Byram a lot, wanted to re-sign him,” Kekalainen said, adding he tried to convince him throughout the year to re-sign, but to no avail.
“We had a few deals in front of us we couldn’t pass up,” the GM said.
Byram, along with forward Jordan Greenway, were dealt to the Blackhawks in exchange for the No. 4 overall pick in this week’s draft as well as a 2026 second-rounder.
Byram has one year remaining on his contract at $6.25 million. The 25-year-old tallied 11 goals and 42 points in 82 games last season, his third season in Buffalo after coming over in a deal with the Colorado Avalanche.
