Alex Tuch’s Extension Ask Comes to Light After Sabres GM Is Fired

Darren Dreger revealed on TSN OverDrive Tuesday that former Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams shared that pending UFA forward Alex Tuch is asking for a very large amount of money on a contract extension in Buffalo. Saying that Tuch wants just above what Adrian Kempe is making in Los Angeles, that means he’s seeking in excess of $10.625 million per season.

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It is interesting that Adams, who was let go this week and replaced by Jarmo Kekalainen, would reveal the dollar amount of an ongoing negotiation between a player and the team. As The Sabre 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’s unknown whether petty was what Adams was going for, or whether the information shared was not meant to be public knowledge. Either way, Dreger specifically shared that this was the ask from Tuch, which gives 31 other teams an idea of exactly what the Sabres are going through with these negotiations.

Kekalainen spoke with the media after taking over as general manager. “It always takes two parties to agree on a number that both feel is reasonable… Not just for today, but moving forward when you have to build with your team. Alex is a really good hockey player. We appreciate him, we like him, we want to get him signed.”

Is The Number For Every Team Or Is This A Sabres Tax?

What isn’t known if the $10.7 million is a number exclusive to the Sabres or if Tuch would take a different amount in free agency. The Sabres aren’t contenders, and perhaps this number is a representation of what it would take to keep him with Buffalo over the long term. For other teams, clubs that have a chance to contend, Tuch might have a different number in mind.

It will be fascinating to see where fans land after Adams let this number leak. Will they side with Tuch and suggest the Sabres get this done? Or, will that number be too high for those who support the team, and the instant reaction will 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 sizable cap hit he’s due for, and the long-term commitment he’ll likely seek all complicate Buffalo’s timeline. With the Sabres in need of new blood, Tuch represents a legitimate asset Jarmo Kekäläinen can leverage to reshape the roster and better align the team with his long-term vision.

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