Buffalo’s hometown hero appears set to head elsewhere.
Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen told reporters Wednesday that he expects forward Alex Tuch to leave in free agency.
“I don’t think, at this point, that we’ve come to any point in our talks that would indicate that he wants to sign with us, so I think he’s moving on,” Kekalainen said, per Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News.
Kekalainen added that he was looking to recoup assets in a trade for Tuch’s rights. The Washington Capitals are the favourite to land Tuch, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported.
“He’s going to be missed but we’ll be fine, Kekalainen said.
Tuch, of Syracuse, N.Y., spent the past five seasons with the Sabres, helping the team to its first playoff berth since 2011 this spring. He joined Buffalo ahead of the 2021-22 season as part of the deal that sent former captain Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The big winger put up 33 goals and 33 assists for the Sabres last season to finish third on the team with 66 points across 79 games.
In 615 career games between the Sabres, Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild, Tuch has 200 goals and 448 points.