Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - With the month of June half gone and Alex Tuch set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, I realize things aren't looking good for the Buffalo Sabres to re-sign the winger. There is a reported large gap still gumming up the negotiations, but I've seen things come together very quickly in talks in the past.
In 2016, Steven Stamkos was the No. 1 free agent on the market and actually had talks with the Sabres, as well as other NHL teams. Things appeared to be going nowhere, and then on June 29, the Tampa Bay Lightning captain re-signed for $8.5 million per-season over eight years.
That left New York Islanders winger Kyle Okposo as the top free agent, and the Sabres signed him to a seven-year contract for $42 million ($6 million per-year). Okposo had scored 22 goals and 42 assists for 64 points in 79 games. He felt he had a good chance of winning the Stanley Cup by coming to the Sabres, but he had to finish his career with the Florida Panthers to accomplish that dream.
In his first season with the Sabres, Okposo had 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points in 65 games. He never scored more than 45 points in a season after that in Buffalo.
Last season, Vencouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser went to free agency on July 1, and within a half hour, circled back and re-signed with the Canucks. He inked a seven-year, $50.75 million contract ($7.25 million per-season).
During his end-of-season press conference, Tuch talked about how more-and-more players are being productive at age 38, which is what he would be if he signs for eight years with the Sabres.
"I think with the technology and with how I've taken care of myself, and how I'm going to continue to take care of myself - I really don't know how long I'll play for,. I would love to play until they force me out, so I don't really know. I'd love to play until I'm 40. That would be incredible," said Tuch.
"With the technology and the different methods, I don't really think that the age is as much as a concern as it was even five, six years ago. I think maybe five, six years ago, Gabriel Landeskog (Colorado Avalanche) is probably not going to be back in the league. And with all he had to do, it's incredible to see him back in top form."
Brent Burns and Corey Perry are both 41-years-old, and Burns played all 82 games for the Colorado Avalanche on defense, while Perry scored 17 goals in 72 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings.
Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin had 32 goals and 64 points at age 40 this season, while Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin is 39 and had 61 points in 56 games.
There were four 38-year-olds that played in the league this season:
- Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins: 68 games played, 29 goals, 45 assists, 74 points
- Brad Marchand - Florida Panthers: 52 games played, 27 goals, 27 assists, 54 points
- Mats Zuccarello - Minnesota Wild: 59 games played, 15 goals, 39 assists, 54 points
- Claude Giroux - Ottawa Senators: 82 games played, 14 goals, 35 assists, 49 points
At age 37, Jordan Staal just won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes, and also took home the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP. In the Stanley Cup Final, Staal scored in five-consecutive games.
When it came to the regular season, Staal had 20 goals in 75 games.
Look at what Stamkos is doing for the Nashville Predators at age 36: He had 42 goals in 82 games. His teammate is former Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly, who at age 35 had 25 goals and 49 assists for 74 points in 81 games.
Others producing at age 37 are Pat Kane (Detroit Red Wings) and Mikael Backlund (Calgary Flames).
I just wanted to point out that with Sports Science and the job the director of performance Brian Galivan is doing with the players, age 38 doesn't have to be a career death sentence for Tuch.
It's been floated out there that the Sabres are offering Tuch less than $9 million. That's an absolute insult for a player that has the skillset that he has.
Tuch has turned into a strong power forward that in three of the last four seasons has scored 36 goals twice and 33 goals last season. He is also a top penalty killer. During the 2024-25 season, Tuch led the NHL with six shorthanded goals. He has nine in the last two seasons, which also leads the league. His 14 shorthanded points in the last two seasons also leads the NHL.
Tuch is one of the best I've seen at causing turnovers and getting into transition quick, creating offense.
I still feel the Sabres need to open up cap space, and get Tuch signed. I think Tuch leaving would be a definite step back for this team. There is nobody on this team or coming up that can fill the void that would be created by Tuch leaving.
