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FILE – Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) is stick checked by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, March 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y.<\/p>\n
Jeffrey T. Barnes\/AP Photo\/Jeffrey T. Barnes<\/p>\n
FILE – Colorado Avalanche center Jack Drury (18) in the first period of an NHL hockey game, April 5, 2026, in Denver.<\/p>\n
David Zalubowski\/AP Photo\/David Zalubowski<\/p>\n
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) \u2014 Alex Tuch is heading to Washington as the Capitals jumped the line for the top free agent available, and the Buffalo Sabres got something in return for a player they knew was not coming back.<\/p>\n
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The Capitals got Tuch in a sign-and-trade Wednesday, getting him after the Sabres inked him to an eight-year $84 million contract and dealt him for a 2027 third-round pick and the rights to pending free agent forward David Kampf. Tuch will count $10.5 million against the salary cap through the 2033-34 NHL season.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAlex was a highly coveted player, and we are pleased that he chose to come to Washington,\u201d Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said. \u201cAlex is a top-six offensive forward who brings size, versatility and the ability to contribute in all situations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tuch, 30, essentially orchestrated the deal by agreeing to go and benefited from the way the trade went down by getting an eight-year contract, as opposed to the limit of seven had he hit the open market next week.<\/p>\n
It is Washington’s second big addition in two days after acquiring winger Jordan Kyrou from St. Louis for the No. 16 pick in the draft, prospect Milton Gastrin and forward Connor McMichael. It is also Buffalo’s second subtraction from its roster after sending defenseman Bo Byram to Chicago in a trade the Sabres acquired the No. 4 pick in the draft they’re hosting this weekend.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Sabres locked up an important player for the long term by signing Zach Benson to a seven-year contract worth $52.5 million. GM Jarmo Kekalainen called getting a deal done with Benson a priority after the 21-year-old agitating winger’s productive playoff performance.<\/p>\n Also Wednesday, Nashville and Colorado made another swap, with the Predators getting Jack Drury, prospect Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round pick for fellow forwards Zachary L\u2019Heureux and Fedor Svechkov. It’s the second trade between the teams since Chris MacFarland left his post as Avalanche GM to take over control of the Preds’ hockey operations department in early June.<\/p>\n \u201cJack Drury is a hard-working, reliable, full-sheet of the ice center who can handle the tough assignments while being elite in the faceoff circle,\u201d MacFarland said. \u201cHis addition to our forward group bolsters our depth in the middle of the ice, and we\u2019re thrilled to have him.”<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n More moves are expected in the leadup to the first round of the draft Friday and with free agency on the horizon next week.<\/p>\n \u201cSunday, the ball started to roll and now everybody\u2019s on the treadmill,\u201d Blue general manager Doug Armstrong said on a call with reporters. \u201cIt\u2019s gone from a nice leisurely 2.5 walk (to) probably a 4.5 walk today and there\u2019ll probably be a 6 jog tomorrow and an 8 run on Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n San Jose GM Mike Grier, whose trading of young forward William Eklund to Ottawa for the No. 9 pick suggests the Sharks are not done dealing, observed that there is a lot of movement happening around the league. The salary cap is increasing to $104 million.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cap’s going up: Teams have money to spend, for the most part, for the first time in a while,\u201d Grier said. \u201cOn top of that, I think free agent market, the free agent class, this year might not excite a lot of people, so I think that\u2019s leading to a lot trades and people being open to trying to improve their teams in different ways. There\u2019s some good players out there, but prices are high.”<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Kekalainen said there had been no progress in contract talks with Tuch, who is coming off a season with 33 goals and 33 assists. The sign-and-trade allowed Tuch to get an eight-year deal, whereas he would have been limited to seven in free agency.<\/p>\n Like Tuch, Kekalainen said there was no movement with Byram, who he said expressed no interest in wanting to remain with the Sabres after his current contract expired next summer.<\/p>\n Whyno reported from New York.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/a>
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