Tuch, Sabres maintain open line of communication — The Fourth Period
Alex Tuch may end up being the most prized unrestricted free agent this July if he hits the open market, and the way things are going, it is entirely possible that becomes reality.
Tuch and the Buffalo Sabres have had an open line of communication all season – even after the Sabres made a GM change midway through the campaign.
Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Tuch’s camp remain communicative, but as TFP’s David Pagnotta reported Thursday on DFO Live, the two sides still haven’t inched closer to a contract extension.
Tuch, 29, is in the final season of a seven-year, $33.25 million contract and is eligible to become a UFA July 1. He also owns a five-team no-trade list as part of his contract.
With the Sabres in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, Pagnotta suggests Kekalainen may decide to hold on to Tuch and essentially use him as the team’s own rental if they cannot come to terms on a new contract by the March 6 trade deadline.
The Sabres have not made the playoffs since the 2010-11 season and it may be the club’s desire to hold on to Tuch for the playoff run and take their chances to try to sign him after their season comes to an end.
Nothing is stopping the Sabres and Tuch from ironing out an extension before the trade deadline, but the closer the two sides go without a new deal, the more other teams will try to pry him away.
In 56 games with the Sabres so far this season, Tuch has registered 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points.
