Alex Tuch wants more than $10 million per season (and the Sabres may be forced to give him that much)
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Things are going well in Buffalo lately.
The Sabres lost yesterday (5-1 to the Columbus Blue Jackets)… but had just won ten consecutive games. The club's streak came a little out of nowhere, but hey. No one can complain when the team is winning on the ice.
That said, there's one file that's starting to take on a lot of importance within the organization, and that's Alex Tuch. Because the Sabres have an important choice to make…
Tuch is in the final year of a seven-year contract that pays him $4.75 million per season. He'll be as free as a bird as of July 1 if he hasn't signed a new deal by then… and he'll be getting a nice pay raise.
The problem?
The player, for his part, wants more than $10 million per season. And the Sabres may not have the option of giving him that kind of money either.
David Pagnotta discussed this on the DFU Rundown podcast:
David Pagnotta: Re Alex Tuch negotiations: He wants $10 plus, that's every indication I've been given from people around the league is he's in $10-11m range – DFO Rundown (12/31)
– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) January 4, 2026
After all, the Sabres must do everything in their power to keep him on the team. Tuch grew up in the region, he plays for his childhood team… and he enjoys playing for the Sabres.
Players like that are rare in the NHL, we agree.
Because it's also certain that Tuch will be able to get the money he wants if he tests the free agent market. 6'4″, 220-pound players who have averaged 70 points over the past three seasons aren't exactly a dime a dozen… and there's sure to be a lot of interest in his services around the league if he becomes officially available.
The Sabres have a dilemma on their hands.
Either give a lot of money to a player who helps the team and wants to play in Buffalo, try to trade him before it's too late… or let him go for nothing next summer.
But are the Sabres prepared to offer him such a lucrative contract?
That's the big question…
Overtime
– I like it.
Lots of camaraderie ahead of the big game
pic.twitter.com/RJAihaxMYc
– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) January 4, 2026
– Go!
Tex(as) #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/SxSNocdBKZ
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 4, 2026
– Good luck!
Good luck Emil
CF Montreal has loaned goalkeeper Emil Gazdov to Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli until June 30 >>> https://t.co/ynPXFhz9e6
– CF Montreal (@cfmontreal) January 4, 2026
