Buffalo Sabers want to keep Alex Tuk
General manager of Buffalo Sabres Jarmo Kekäläinen connected The Eye Test with Jimmy Murphy and Pierre McGuire to discuss Alex Tuch and the latest news regarding his contract negotiations.
NHLRumors.com Transcripts
NHL Rumors: The Buffalo Sabers and Alex Tuch
Pierre McGuire: “I don’t want you to break news here, but if you can give us a little direction on where you stand with Alex Tuch and the contract situation.”
Jarmo Kekäläinen: “We made it very clear everywhere we talked about it that we want to sign Alex Tuch. He is a big part of our team. He plays the most minutes among the forwards, kills penalties and plays the power play. He is a good teammate, a good professional. So it is no secret that we want to sign him. It is an ongoing negotiation and we want him to continue playing for the Sabers for a long time.”
During an appearance on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio with Steve Kouleas and Anthony StewardJarmo Kekäläinen stated that they were working on some things to get him signed.
“No, but it’s no secret that we’re trying to make a deal that will keep him in Buffalo for a long time,” Kekäläinen said. “He’s a big part of our team and a great hockey player, a good teammate and a good pro. So we’re working on a number of things to get them signed.”
Tuch could wait until after the season
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan was on the Point for Thursday’s game between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers and stated that the Buffalo Sabers and Alex Tuch are not close to a new contract, but that he will remain with the team as a rental of his own while they try to finalize a deal after the season.
NHLRumors.com Transcripts
NHL Rumors: Buffalo Sabers should re-sign Alex Tuch
Arda Ocal: “Meanwhile, if you go to state, the Sabers are currently ranked third in the Atlantic. What does that mean for Alex Tuch’s future in Buffalo?”
Emily Kaplan: “During this break, his rep spoke to Jarmo Kekäläinen and said, ‘Okay, can we bridge the gap in a contract? And from everything I’ve gathered, they’re just not close. They’re not aligned on a number.’
That said, yes, he is a pending unrestricted free agent. But if you look at the position the Sabers are in, they’re trying to make the playoffs here. How much does that mean for the market? So I just don’t see a situation where he gets traded.
“I don’t think we’ll get a deal done before this trade deadline, but my gut feeling is they’ll keep him as their own rental and figure out over the summer if he’s likely to stick around.”
NHL Rumors.com Note: The Buffalo sabers are playing the right way and looking to end their 14-year playoff drought. Alex Tuch played a big role in it. It would be surprising to see him act. What kind of message would that convey? The Sabers want to keep him. However, they know the amount is somewhere between $10 and $11 million on an AAV. Tuch is from Syracuse, wants to stay thereand sees itself as part of the solution. When did the Buffalo Sabers have a player like that?
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