Insider Calls One Buffalo Sabres Player "Close to Untouchable" Despite Trade Buzz

While we've heard the names Dylan Cozens, Bowen Byram, and even Owen Power on the rumor mill this season around the Buffalo Sabres—and it appears they are listening—one player who has surfaced recently in the trade buzz, who is far less likely to be moved is Alex Tuch.

Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period tells us that Tuch is extremely close to being a 'hands-off' case:

My understanding is, he's not untouchable, but he's close... They're not going to move him for futures... Unless they're making a significant hockey trade and almost an upgrade, I don't see Tuch getting moved ahead of the deadline... There are proabably 31 teams that would love to get their hands on this guy. But unless they're blown out of the water, Tuch isn't going anywhere.

Tuch is a hometown kid (or pretty close, from Rochester, NY), and is having another fine season in Buffalo, with 19 goals and 43 points in 54 games with a plus/minus rating of +15. He's on pace for his third consecutive 20+ goal season and still has another year to go on his very reasonable $4.75 million cap hit.

The Sabres, it has been stated over and over, are looking to make a real hockey trade, they're not interested in draft picks and/or prospects for someone like Tuch. Same goes for Dylan Cozens or Bowen Byram, who have been front and center on the rumor mill this season as teams are circling around the Sabres looking to scoop up some talent.

As for Byram, one Buffalo insider has even suggested the Sabres may go in a different direction altogether for the rising defenseman.

Pagnotta also added that Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin are the others who are definitely untouchable.