Alex Tuch seen as perfect winger for Suzuki and Caufield, but Sabres’ stance makes trade complex

The Olympic Games are now over, and NHL hockey can resume.

NHL decision-makers won’t have much time to fine-tune their lineups, with the trade deadline, set for March 6, fast approaching.

The first games following the break will therefore have a real impact on what comes next.

Indeed, with the standings tighter than ever, a winning or losing streak could push GMs to stick with their plan or completely change it.

As for the Montreal Canadiens, the plan appears to be clear. There will be a trade only if it truly helps the organization in the short, medium, and long term.

Kent Hughes won’t force anything, and if he doesn’t see a fit, nothing will happen.

Stéphane Waite believes the Sabres have the perfect winger for the Habs’ top line

That fit could very well be found within their division, namely with the Buffalo Sabres.

As mentioned on 98.5 Sports by former Canadiens goaltending coach Stéphane Waite, the Sabres have the ideal player in their lineup.

According to him, Alex Tuch would be the perfect winger to play alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the Habs’ top line.

Beyond the fact that his younger brother, Luke Tuch, is already in the Montreal Canadiens organization, Alex is a complete player who would fit well into Martin St-Louis’ style of play. He can bring both offense and grit.

That’s exactly what Kent Hughes seems to be looking for on the trade market. The issue here is whether Tuch is truly available on the trade market.

The Buffalo Sabres are currently enjoying an excellent season and could, for the first time since 2011, qualify for the playoffs.

Moving Tuch under those circumstances could be detrimental to their plan of reaching the postseason.

Everything could depend on the return for the 29-year-old winger.

What could tilt things in favor of the Hughes/Gorton duo is that the Sabres are currently unable to agree on the terms of a new contract with Tuch.

According to Darren Dreger, he is reportedly seeking a deal more lucrative than the one Adrian Kempe signed – an eight-year, $85 million contract ($10.63M AAV).

The organization’s new GM, Jarmo Kekäläinen, does not appear thrilled with those demands.

This isn’t the first time Alex Tuch’s name has been linked to the Habs.

Last January, a source told Marco D’Amico of RG Media that the Canadiens could very well be interested in the American forward.