Leading Suitor Named for Sabres Trade Candidate Alex Tuch

For many teams, landing an impact scoring forward is a major deadline goal. In most cases, the available players who fit that mold are rentals. Which is why the Buffalo Sabres' Alex Tuch has become such a popular figure as we quickly approach Friday's deadline, as he does not fall into that category. There were no less than 12 teams' scouts in attendance at the Sabres/Canadiens game on Saturday night.

I'm told several teams are calling on the availability of Alex Tuch, but Tampa Bay still appears to covet him most.

The 28-year-old has one year remaining on his deal at 4.75M.
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) March 2, 2025

Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects tells us that the Tampa Bay Lightning seem to be the most serious suitor chasing after Tuch, who has another year remaining on his contract with a very reasonable $4.75 million cap hit. The Bolts would like to add another scorer, and Tuch seems to be a good fit.

Whether the Sabres are willing to move on from their 'hometown' favorite (Tuch is from upstate New York in Rochester) remains to be seen. But they're getting plenty of calls.

Robinson isn't the only one linking him to the Lightning, as insider Elliotte Friedman has done so recently as well.

Tuch, 28, is the middle of his 3rd straight 20+ goal season, with 22 markers along with 46 points in 58 games, with a plus/minus rating of +13.

But Robinson also mentions another team that he speculates might have some interest:

Just wondering out loud here...

If they can't get an extension done, would Vancouver trade Brock Boeser and take some of those assets to flip for Alex Tuch?
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) March 2, 2025

With Brock Boeser—one of those potential scoring rentals—becoming a UFA and extension negotiations still at a standstill, he wonders if the Vancouver Canucks would trade Boeser and then flip some of the assets they obtain to Buffalo in exchange for Tuch.

Meanwhile, it doesn't appear that the trade talk is bothering the Sabres forward, as he's scored in three straight games, and has six goals in his last six contests.