New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey (left) and Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch (right) are featured in this image.
The New Jersey Devils are in a freefall. A 1-6-0 slump has exposed a glaring weakness that pure skill can’t fix: the Devils are getting pushed around. With the recent news that they missed out on a major defensive upgrade, GM Tom Fitzgerald needs to pivot immediately. The answer lies in Buffalo, where new Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is looking to make his mark.
According to Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon, Alex Tuch has emerged as the prime target to salvage New Jersey’s season. The proposed cost? Top defensive prospect Seamus Casey and a 2026 1st Round Pick. It sounds steep, but for a Devils team desperate for size, grit, and scoring, Tuch isn’t just a want—he is a necessity. Here is why trading a future star for Tuch is the move that turns New Jersey into a legitimate Cup contender.
The “Hockey Trade” That Fixes Two Rosters
As an analyst watching the Devils recently, it’s painful to see the same pattern repeat. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt weave magic, but when the game tightens up in the corners, New Jersey fades. They lack a true power forward who can keep up with the pace of their stars while providing the physical insulation they desperately need.
Enter Alex Tuch. At 6’4″ and over 220 lbs, Tuch is a unicorn. He has the wheels to skate on a line with Hughes and the grit to retrieve pucks for him. With his contract expiring in 2026 and talks stalling in Buffalo, the writing is on the wall.
Why Buffalo Says Yes to Seamus Casey
The hiring of Jarmo Kekalainen in Buffalo changes everything. Jarmo doesn’t rebuild; he retools. He wants “hockey trades.” Buffalo’s blue line is incredibly lopsided with left-shot defenders (Dahlin, Power, Byram). They are starving for a high-end Right-Shot Defenseman (RHD).
This is where the Devils operate from a position of strength. With Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, and Simon Nemec locking down the right side for the next half-decade, Seamus Casey—despite his elite offensive upside—is a luxury asset in New Jersey. In Buffalo, he’s a top-pairing cornerstone.
The Verdict: If I’m the Devils, I make this call yesterday. Trading Seamus Casey hurts; he’s going to be a star. But you don’t hoard prospects when your competitive window is wide open. Getting Tuch at 50% retained salary ($2.375M cap hit) allows New Jersey to add a premier top-six winger without dismantling their current roster. This is the exact type of bold, “all-in” move that separates playoff participants from Stanley Cup Champions.
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