Darren Dreger revealed on TSN OverDrive Tuesday that former Buffalo Sabers general manager Kevyn Adams shared that pending UFA forward Alex Tuch is asking for a very large amount of money for a contract extension in Buffalo. When he says Tuch wants just a little more than what Adrian Kempe makes in Los Angeles, that means he’s looking for more than $10.625 million per season.
It’s interesting that Adams, who was fired this week and replaced by Jarmo Kekalainen, would reveal the dollar amount of an ongoing negotiation between a player and the team. As The Saber Report writes in a social media post: “Kevyn Adams leaking Alex Tuch’s desired AAV a day after being fired is a special level of petty.”
It is not known whether Adams intended disparagement, or whether the information shared was not intended for public knowledge. Regardless, Dreger specifically mentioned that this was Tuch’s question, which gives 31 other teams an idea of what exactly the Sabers are going through with these negotiations.
Kekalainen spoke to the media after the takeover as general manager. “It always takes two parties to agree on a number that both find reasonable… Not only for today, but also for the future when you have to build your team. Alex is a very good hockey player. We appreciate him, we like him, we want him to be signed.”
Is this the number for each team or is this a saber load?
What is unknown is whether the $10.7 million is a number exclusive to the Sabers or if Tuch would take a different amount in free agency. The Sabers aren’t contenders, and perhaps this number is a representation of what it would take to keep him in Buffalo long-term. For other teams, clubs that have a chance to compete, Tuch may have a different number in mind.
It will be fascinating to see where fans end up after Adams leaks this number. Will they side with Tuch and suggest the Sabers get this done? Or will that number be too high for those who support the team, and will the immediate reaction be to trade Tuch if that’s the kind of money he wants?
Some will argue that Tuch should be traded while his value is still high. His age, the big hit he faces, and the long-term commitment he will likely pursue complicate Buffalo’s timeline. With the Sabers in need of new blood, Tuch represents a legitimate asset that Jarmo Kekäläinen can use to reshape the roster and better align the team with his long-term vision.
Next: Remove all the new Nylander noise, what is the Maple Leafs Forward anyway?
#Alex #Tuchs #extension #question #light #Sabers #fired