NHL insiders Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston have teamed up for The Athletic to act as matchmakers, pairing solid trade candidates with suitable teams. In the third part of this series, LeBrun discussed Buffalo Sabres right winger Alex Tuch from the Los Angeles Kings.
Tuch is in the final year of a seven-year contract worth $33.25 million, with a salary cap hit of $4.75 million this season. His contract includes a no-trade clause covering five teams, and he will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) if not re-signed by the end of the season.
The Kings have secured a playoff spot after their recent victories over the Minnesota Wild and currently hold the first wild card position in the Western Conference tied with the Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken. With star players Anze Kopitar and Joel Armia sidelined for some time, the team needs a win as the standings remain tight.
LeBrun noted that despite offensive struggles, the Kings are still playoff contenders, and adding Tuch would strengthen the right wing behind first-liner Adrian Kempe. The Kings have sufficient salary cap space to make this move.
Currently, Los Angeles ranks third from the bottom in points scored in the NHL, with only the St. Louis Blues and Kraken scoring fewer goals. Tuch has 12 goals and 32 points this season with Buffalo, positioning him among the top scorers, which would significantly improve the Kings’ offense.
The possibility of a trade depends on Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who might prefer trading Tuch before the deadline to get assets as Tuch becomes a UFA. However, the Sabres have recently gone on a 10-game winning streak, lifting them near playoff contention. Given their desire to reach the postseason for the first time since 2011, management may opt to keep Tuch if playoff chances remain strong.
Meanwhile, Buffalo has appointed former Kings senior advisor Marc Bergevin as their new associate GM, following the departure of Jason Karmanos.
Fan Take: This potential trade highlights how pivotal player movements can shift a team’s playoff fortunes, making it an exciting time for hockey fans. If Tuch joins the Kings, it could boost their offensive capabilities and intensify competition in the Western Conference, potentially reshaping the playoff landscape.
