Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
A new report from David Pagnotta shows the Sabres and Alex Tuch are far apart on a contract, as the Maple Leafs keep an eye on him as a top-six scoring threat.Reports broke earlier this summer that the Buffalo Sabres were trying to to re-sign Alex Tuch before he hits free agency, and the power forward has been linked to teams like the Maple Leafs in potential trade rumors though he’s going to cost a pretty penny.
What the Latest Update Reveals About His Future Options
One of Buffalo’s top scorers, losing him would make an already below-average Sabres team even worse, and there’s no doubt that losing him to a divisional rival would hurt even more.
In a recent article about the latest rumors and speculation around the league, Tuch and the Sabres came up with Pagnotta mentioning the two sides are nowhere near a deal:
Staying on the extension subject, nothing is close right now between the Buffalo Sabres and power forward Alex Tuch. It’s no secret the Sabres want to lock him up; he’s also in the final year of his current contract, but they haven’t gotten to that point yet.
That spells bad news for Buffalo and great news for the Maple Leafs if they want to seriously improve their top-six.
The Qualities That Make Tuch a Natural Fit for Toronto
Well, he fits the size requirement that’s for sure. Standing 6’4, and 220 pounds, putting him alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies would be a sight to behold.
Speaking of, it would bring a lot of potential chemistry as Matthews, Knies and Tuch are all Americans, and in the case of Matthews and Tuch; having Team USA experience to boot.
A very good defensive player, Tuch can battle for pucks and create havoc while also benefitting from Matthews improved playmaking.
Not to mention he would be an absolute force to be reckoned with; he averages nearly 49 blocks and 60 hits for his career, has a ton of discipline and doesn’t make too many mistakes.
Plus, you’re adding a guy who has 382 points in 536 games (167 goals, 215 assists), a career plus-55, and 19 playoff goals in 66 games; he’s not Marner but he’s a heck of a replacement.
How Tuch Could Change the Leafs’ Top-Six Dynamic
We go from having Marner as the crafty and shifty forward who can dangle and dazzle his way through opponents into a line that absolutely barrels through them instead.
You’ll have the ability to to also move Tuch down to the second line and give John Tavares and William Nylander a ton of extra protection as a kind of bodyguard, and allow them more open ice to do damage.
It’s also a fantastic stop-gap for losing Marner’s power play help, as Tuch and his 77 career points on the man advantage is certainly going to make things a bit easier.
In a world where flexibility and versatility reigns supreme, especially in a Craig Berube lineup, there’s really no better option than Alex Tuch when it comes to bringing exactly what works in his system.
The only question is what will he cost now, and in the future?
Previously on HockeyPatrol
POLL
11 HOURS AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 216 ANSWERS
Insider Update on Alex Tuch Has Maple Leafs Fans Eyeing the Perfect Top-Line Fit
Would you trade Toronto’s 2028 first-round pick for Alex Tuch?