The Buffalo Sabres and Alex Tuch couldn't get a contract extension done.
Technically, there's still time, and the Sabres certainly wouldn't mind keeping the talented forward around in the long run.
There would be a lot of work necessary to make that happen, though.
Tuch's agent spoke with insider David Pagnotta to clarify what this process has been like for Tuch.
”I think we’ve all kind of decided that it’s best to just try to get some wins here," said agent Brian Bartlett. "Alex is a leader on that team, both play-wise and kind of, you know, in the room. So he wants to focus on that, not have it a distraction, so we’ve wanted to just kind of let everyone know, like, we’re just gonna put this on the backburner for a little bit – doesn’t mean that we’re closing the door to signing, doesn’t mean anything, just means that, you know, for the time period, he’s gotta try to help the Buffalo Sabres win games.”
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The Sabres have missed the playoffs 14 seasons in a row.
They started their first three games of this campaign miserably, allowing 10 total goals and scoring just two.
But in game four, the Sabres blitzed the Ottawa Senators, 8-4.
So maybe there's still a tad of hope here.
It does make sense that Tuch wouldn't quite want the stress of the contract negotiations midseason, but they'll keep coming up.
At some point, Tuch will have to decide what to do. And it'll be a consequential decision for everyone involved.
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