Washington Capitals acquire Alex Tuch from Buffalo Sabres, sign him to 8-year deal

By Liam Tremblay — 25 June 2026 — 3 min read

Tuch Traded to Washington

The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres. Following the trade, Tuch has reportedly signed an eight-year contract with the Capitals, which includes a $10.5 million average annual value (AAV).

This move takes Tuch off the free agency market, where he was anticipated to be one of the more sought-after players when the NHL signing period opens on July 1. The Sabres’ general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen, had previously indicated that he expected Tuch to enter free agency due to a lack of progress in contract discussions.

Negotiations between Tuch and the Sabres had reportedly begun last summer, but the two sides remained far apart on terms. Kekalainen cited salary cap constraints and the risk associated with signing a player to a long-term contract as factors in the Sabres’ position.

Sabres’ Strategic Decisions

The Sabres had retained Tuch at the trade deadline in March, aiming to bolster their push for a playoff spot, which would have marked their first appearance in 15 seasons. Tuch was a significant contributor during his time in Buffalo, having scored 139 goals and recorded 309 points in 360 games while playing a top-line role.

Overall, Tuch has accumulated 200 goals and 448 points across 615 NHL games. In the past season with the Sabres, he registered 33 goals, 33 assists, and 66 points in 79 games, along with 82 hits and 90 blocks.

Kekalainen stated that a sign-and-trade deal was one option for the Sabres to gain assets in return for Tuch. The Sabres had acquired Tuch and forward Peyton Krebs in a trade that sent former captain Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights in November 2021. Tuch, a native of Syracuse, New York, had welcomed the trade to Buffalo, having grown up as a fan of the team.

The trade of Tuch follows another recent move by the Sabres, who traded defenceman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks. In return, Buffalo acquired Chicago’s No. 4 pick and a second-round selection in the upcoming draft, along with defenceman Louis Crevier.

Kekalainen explained that Byram had expressed no interest in remaining with Buffalo after his current contract expired next summer, leaving the team with limited options. With the fourth pick, the Sabres are positioned to select a top prospect in a draft class noted for its highly regarded defencemen, with Buffalo serving as the host city for the draft.

Potential defensive candidates expected to be available at the No. 4 spot include Carson Carels from WHL Prince George, Keaton Verhoeff from North Dakota, and Alberts Smits from Latvia. Kekalainen mentioned that he is considering whether to trade the selection for a more NHL-ready asset, depending on the value assessed around the league.

Impact on the Capitals and Bruins

For the Capitals, the acquisition of Tuch adds another significant player, following their recent trade for Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Tuch’s new contract with the Capitals is substantial, locking him in for a long duration.

The move means that Tuch is no longer an option for teams like the Boston Bruins, who were reportedly in need of another scorer for their top six. Tuch had been previously linked to the Bruins as a potential free agent target. However, his reported $10.5 million cap hit and long-term commitment to the Capitals mean he will not be available when free agency begins on July 1.

Source: sportsnet.ca