Could the Buffalo Sabers work out an extension for Alex Tuch with a new GM?
The Chris Johnston Show: The Buffalo Sabers replaced Kevyn Adams with Jarmo Kekalainen as their General Manager this past week, and it will be interesting to see what that means for upcoming UFA forward Alex Tuch, according to Chris Johnston. Is there a new path to an extension or will he hit the trade market?
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Julian McKenzie: “Is there anyone else on the trade board you want to discuss? I want to go to Alex Tuch. But I think Alex Tuch is part of a much bigger story that we’ll discuss with the Buffalo Sabers this week, given the change at GM with Kevin Adams out in favor of Jarmo Kekalainen.”
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Johnston: “I think you have the perfect host transition then, because Tuch is probably the most interesting name.
Actually, I’ll tell you this if you want all the sausages made. I was working on this Sunday, Monday, you know, leading up to the week it didn’t last until Wednesday morning. And Tuch was originally number one on the board, and I actually dropped him a few spots because of the way Jarmo Kekalainen and, you know, handled the question about Tuch, you know, at his introductory press conference in Buffalo.
You know, I still don’t know, I don’t think in any way that means he won’t be traded, but he was pretty forceful in taking over that file. That they really want to keep Alex Tuch. You know, he did. He said the key phrase, but the player and the team have to find something that works for both sides, and that was a hurdle for his predecessor, Kevin Adams, and Tuch’s representatives.
You know, they did have discussions in the fall, and at that point the Sabers weren’t willing to even get $10 million a year on a contract basis. I think the market for Tuch has gone up since then, if only because the market has gone up for players who bring some attacking prowess. And obviously there is more to his game with his side, his size and his speed.
But you know, the Adrian Kempe deal the Kings signed now seems like a floor of sorts for Tuch. And so, you know, we’ll see if the Sabers as an organization, or Kekalainen who’s in charge now, if he’s willing to maybe stretch himself a little bit further than Kevyn Adams seemed to be.
Not so. I mean, it’s pretty clear, you know, what’s going to happen. I mean, I don’t think there’s even a world, even if the Sabers are probably going to be in the playoff mix here, I would think. I think it’s a reasonable assumption that if we get close to March 6, they’ll stay pretty much in line, as I see it. It doesn’t mean they don’t know if they’ll be three points ahead or three points ahead. It probably won’t be secured, but even then I just don’t know if you could risk seeing him walk for nothing at the end of the season.
So I think this is probably the biggest one for me, the direct Kekalainen file and just having to figure out what happens. It doesn’t mean he has to sign it tomorrow. But I think, I think he has to determine: Is there still a path to get that contract done? Are there any parameters the Sabers ownership is comfortable with? That’s what Kekalainen feels comfortable with as GM.
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And if not, he needs to start planning what the trade looks like. Because I know there’s a number of teams in the league that would love to, you know, sign Alex Tuch. You know, a very tempting piece, I think, both in the short term for what he could do, but potentially someone who could also be signed.
So he didn’t come, he didn’t get moved down too far in that press conference, but he did drop two unofficial spots on the trade board that weren’t publicized.
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