The status of talks between the Buffalo Sabres and winger Alex Tuch is unknown since the reports early this season that the representative had paused negotiations on a new contract, but as potential free agents have signed extensions, Tuch’s leverage has increased. Last month, the Colorado Avalanche locked up Martin Necas on an eight-year, $92 million contract extension ($11.5 million AAV) and on the weekend, the Los Angeles Kings and winger Adrian Kempe agreed to an eight-year, $85 million contract extension ($10.625 million). Other Sabres Stories Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/six-former-sabres-who-signed-elsewhere] Norris Out Eight Weeks At Least [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/report---sabres-norris-out-eight-weeks-at-least] Both players were first rounders in the 2014 Draft and have put up comparable numbers. Kempe scored a career-high 41 goals in 2022-23, and has a pair of 35 goal seasons with the Kings. Tuch has scored over 20 goals four times and tied his career-high 36 goals last season. With Kempe off the board, the top potential free agent forwards next summer are 34-year-old Artemi Panarin and Tuch, who turns 30 in May. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated on the 32 Thoughts podcast [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/] that the Sabres winger has to be looking for a deal in the same neighborhood as Kempe, which would necessitate the Sabres coming off their negotiating stance prior to the season that they balked at a deal with an AAV of $10 million or mor [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6658064/2025/09/25/kempe-tuch-necas-nhl-rumblings/?source=nhltw&utm_campaign=nhltw&utm_medium=social]e. If they are not willing to go eight figures with Tuch, then the Sabres could be in position to reap the rewards as a seller, but GM Kevyn Adams is likely not looking for a deal involving futures that is consistent with trades at the deadline. During the season or as a free agent in July, Tuch is going to get paid in excess of $10 million next season. The only question is whether it will be with the Blue and Gold or in some other uniform. Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo [https://twitter.com/MikeInBuffalo] Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b6af9c01-5bd1-470f-abfa-b5bcd681b377.jpeg]
