It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re in the middle of the Four Nations Faceoff break, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill. General managers are still deciding what their move will be. Some teams will make a push to load up for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, other teams might have think about the future and move assets. One team that could be a seller is the Buffalo Sabres. This round of NHL rumours deals with one of their veteran forwards receiving interest.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Veteran Buffalo Sabres Forward Garnering Trade Deadline Interest
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said that Sabres forward Alex Tuch is receiving looks before the March 7 trade deadline. This is despite Buffalo telling other teams they weren’t moving him earlier in the season.
Analysis: It’s likely going to be another year without playoff hockey in Western New York. This means the annual speculation out what players could be shipped out of the Queen City.
Buffalo does have some players that are on the wish lists of contending teams. The Sabres have a number of players with moveable contracts or pending unrestricted free agents. This means we could see some contracts moved for assets when the deadline rolls around.
We’ve talked about a number of Sabres players that could be moved in previous editions of NHL rumours. Names like Jordan Greenway, Dylan Cozens and Jason Zucker have been the subject of speculation. However, Tuch seemed to be safe and not someone Buffalo General Manager Kevyn Adams wants to move.
Tuch is from Baldwinsville, NY in the Syracuse area and is a lifelong Sabres fan. According to Pagnotta, Buffalo has indicated that moving Tuch is one of the last things they want to do. However, Adams might have to listen if there’s a great offer.
What It Means
Tuch has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 54 games this season. He’s been one of the few bright spots on a Sabres team that has been scuffling most of the season.
The veteran forward is a big body at 6-feet, 4-inches tall and nearly 220 pounds. He’s also been part of the leadership group on one of the younger teams in the league. Tuch has been one of the more consistent performers on a roster that’s been inconsistent.
Contending teams would love a player like Tuch at the deadline and could likely slot into the top nine of most rosters. Adams will probably still get calls on the former Boston College up to the deadline.
Pagnotta adds that this could be just a bunch of noise. However, this won’t stop teams from trying to land the 28-year-old forward.
Teams will be calling Adams a bunch in the run up to March 7. Pagnotta added that the Sabres want to do something big. However, it doesn’t seem like they want Tuch to be part of the that big move. Other teams may have to look at other Sabres players at the deadline.
Main photo by: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
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