The silence from the Buffalo Sabres front office makes sense now. If you were wondering why Alex Tuch’s name has suddenly skyrocketed to the top of the NHL trade bait board, we finally have the answer: the price tag.
Reports indicate Tuch is seeking a contract exceeding the $10.625 million AAV that Adrian Kempe secured with Los Angeles. If Tuch is truly digging his heels in for an 8-figure deal, he is effectively pricing himself out of Buffalo—and frankly, he might be overestimating his market value.
Is Tuch Worth Adrian Kempe Money?
Let’s look at this through the lens of a GM. I love what Alex Tuch brings to the ice. He is a prototypical power forward, a hometown presence, and an emotional leader. But is he a $10.7 million player? The numbers suggest the Sabres are right to hesitate.
Since Adrian Kempe’s breakout in 2021-22, he has posted 150 goals and 297 points. He drives the bus for the Kings. In that same span, Tuch has been excellent—117 goals and 271 points—but he hasn’t been the singular force that Kempe is. Kempe carries a starved LA offense; Tuch has had the luxury of playing alongside Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin.
If Tuch wants to be paid like a franchise savior, he needs to produce like one consistently. Asking for “Kempe money plus one dollar” feels like an ego play rather than a market valuation. With the Sabres undergoing management changes, this financial disconnect is exactly why teams like the New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars are circling. If Buffalo isn’t willing to pay $10 million—and I don’t think they should—Tuch will likely be wearing a new jersey before the March 6 deadline.
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