Oilers Recent Trade Pattern Suggests a Tuch Trade Unlikely

Trade chatter is already swirling around the Edmonton Oilers, who are deep at center but thin on true top-six wingers. With Zach Hyman and Andrew Mangiapane leading the scoring from the wings, the Oilers could use another proven finisher — and Buffalo Sabres sniper Alex Tuch fits the bill.

However, for fans excited about the potential of Tuck coming to Edmonton, there are a few factors that might complicate such a move.

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First, while Tuch, 29, seems like and probably would be a great fit on paper for the Oilers, — he has scored 36 goals in each of the past two seasons and carries a team-friendly $4.75 million cap hit in the final year of his deal — he may not be ready to leave Buffalo. The team isn’t performing well, and the two sides might not be close on an extension, but Tuch has given no indication he’s looking to leave. Tuch is reportedly eyeing a big payday, but the Sabres will probably give him the raise he’s seeking, even if insiders like Jeff Marek and David Pagnotta have linked him as a potential Oilers trade or free-agent target.

Second, the Oilers haven’t shown much of an appetite for spending assets on what will be purely rentals. Stan Bowman’s short history with the team has shown that he’s more apt to trade for players he has a chance of re-signing. Jake Walman is the most recent example. He was acquired from the San Jose Sharks at the deadline and signed to a seven-year extension this summer. Vasily Podkolzin was added from the Vancouver Canucks and signed to a three-year deal. Ty Emberson and Kasperi Kapanen were also retained. Tuch might be a great deadline addition, but the chance he’s not looking for a home run free agency deal is slim. The Oilers aren’t likely to be the team to give it to him.

Finally, the Oilers will need to ensure they have a solution to a potential goaltending dilemma before making a big move at another position. Adding Tuch would be Edmonton’s big swing. They’d be using most of the limited picks and prospects they have to land him in a trade, leaving nothing left for an upgrade in net if they decide to make a move.

Tuch is a nice idea, but the reality of his being a shoo-in to join the Oilers if he leaves Buffalo is anything but a given.

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