Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Alex Tuch watched the first day of Buffalo Sabres training camp from the bench on Thursday, as he’s nursing a minor ailment. He believes he should be back on the ice within a few days.
Tuch is in the final year of his contract that he signed in Vegas when he was a member of the Golden Knights. However, he has been eligible to sign a contract extension with the Sabres since July 1.
Tuch agreed with what general manager Kevyn Adams said Wednesday, that he wants to be in Buffalo, but will leave those details to his agent.
"Everyone knows I love Buffalo. I love being a Buffalo Sabre, and I would love to be here long-term," said Tuch following Thursday's practice at Harborcenter.
Tuch says there’s no rush on either side to get a deal done, and talks have been productive. He also doesn’t obsess over contract talks.
"I’m really grateful and blessed to be in the position that I am. It’s something I don’t take for granted," Tuch said. "Whatever happens with this, I’m going to be really happy and really excited, because I get to wake up and play the game that I love playing. That means the most, that and my family."
The Sabres winger likes what he sees, as around 35% of the roster has been turned over.
"There have been some changes, that’s obvious when you don’t have success, and honestly I’m just really excited," Tuch said.
"Some of the new guys have come in and really impressed me. They’ve fit into the locker room really well, and I think it’s going to be a really good year."
Because of all the different things Tuch brings to the table, he was easily the Sabres' best player behind Rasmus Dahlin last year. In 82 games, Tuch scored 36 goals and 31 assists for 67 points. His six shorthanded goals led the NHL, as did his nine shorthanded points.
Despite all that, he's not happy with his game,
"In my eyes, it still isn’t good enough," Tuch admitted. "I think I made improvements in the first half of the year, in the second half, I finished strong. I want to continue to grow on that."
Tuch received votes for the Selke Trophy, which is for the defensive component of the game.
"It was a great honor, honestly. I want to be better this year. I want to be considered a top-five Selke candidate, because that’s the type of game I try to play each and every game. It’s something I take great pride in," Tuch said.
Tage Thompson scored the "Golden Goal" to help Team USA take home the gold medal at the World Championship this past May. Tuch stayed home for the birth of his son, and wasn’t able to accept the invitation to be a part of that team.
He admits, though, he enjoyed watching Thompson win for the U.S.
"I was texting him the first couple of games and said, 'You’ve got to score a goal, you’re struggling a little bit,'" Tuch joked.
"But it was awesome to see him do that. I was a little jealous, honestly, to see him go out and play. I really wanted to play, but I had some complications with my son being born, or I would’ve been with the team. I really wish I had a gold medal with those guys, but he was awesome. And to get that gold medal goal was really cool for him. It was an awesome thing to see, and I’m really happy for him."
Tuch acknowledged that his son is now OK and leading a very healthy life.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff is back for his second year with this group. Year 1 didn’t go well, but Tuch believes this year will be different, because they’ve had a season with Ruff.
"It helps knowing how a coach operates from day-to-day," he said. "It’s taking away the unknowns. You know what to expect each and every day, you know what he expects and vice-versa. I think that’s going to help our group, and I think we’ll get off to a much better start to our season. That’s huge, because the start last year was nowhere near where we wanted it to be."
Buffalo started last season 1-4-1 and 3-7-1.
While the Sabres are in the middle of an NHL record 14-year playoff drought, Tuch still feels this current group can win in Buffalo.
"The group we have in front of us, I think, can get the job done," he said. "We’re going to keep growing each and every day as a full team, and I don’t think I’ve hit my potential. I think everyone in that locker room thinks they have more to give, and they want to give it. They want to come in and work each and every day. I’m really confident we can win with this group."
THURSDAY’S LINES:
Forwards:
Benson - Norris -Thompson
Quinn - Kulich - Doan
Zucker - McLeod - Danforth
Geertsen - Krebs - Malenstyn
Defense:
Byram - Dahlin
Samuelsson - Timmins
Power - Kesselring
Jones - Bryson
Goalies:
Lyon
Georgiev
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