Alex Tuch's impressive performance in Game 1 against the Bruins has increased his free-agent value, making him a potential target for the New York Rangers. He scored a goal, led in hits, and played a key role in the Sabres' comeback win.
Key points
Alex Tuch is a pending unrestricted free agent
He scored 33 goals this season
Tuch led all skaters with 10 hits in Game 1
He played a key role in the Sabres' comeback win
Tuch has played for the Wild, Golden Knights, and Sabres
Alex TuchNew York RangersBuffalo SabresBoston Bruins
Alex Tuch likely is very much on the New York Rangers radar already. But even if so, the Buffalo Sabres’ pending unrestricted free agent put forth an eye-opening performance Sunday sure to catch the attention of Rangers decision makers.
Tuch was an absolute force helping the Sabres escape a 2-0 hole in the third period to defeat the Boston Bruins 4-3 in Game 1 of their best-of-7 first-round playoff series. He led a ferocious Buffalo forecheck, winning one puck battle after another, including one behind the Boston net which set up Tage Thmpson’s game-tying goal at 15:44 of the third.
Using his 6-foot-4, 219-pound frame like a human wrecking ball, Tuch topped all skaters with 10 hits, setting the tone for the Sabres, who played an extremely physical game and out-hit the Bruins 53-38. Playing on the top line and both specialty teams, Tuch led Buffalo forwards with 21:40 TOI, scored an empty-net goal, and had a two-point night.
Think Tuch wouldn’t look pretty darn good in the Blueshirt, skating next to. say, Will Cuylle and J.T. Miller? Or Vincent Trocheck, if the Rangers hang on to the veteran center?
He’s big skilled, and productive. Tuch scored 33 goals this season, has 30 or more three of the past four years, and 200 in 615 NHL games with the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Sabres. He’s a dedicated two-way player, one who learned the importance of strong defensive play as a middle-six forward with the Golden Knights, before graduating to top-line duty with the Sabres, who acquired him in the back on Nov. 4, 2021.
Q&A
What did Alex Tuch do in Game 1 against the Boston Bruins?
Alex Tuch scored a goal, led all skaters with 10 hits, and played a crucial role in the Sabres' comeback victory.
How many goals did Alex Tuch score this season?
Alex Tuch scored 33 goals this season and has scored 30 or more goals in three of the past four seasons.
Why is Alex Tuch a target for the New York Rangers?
Tuch's strong performance in the playoffs and his skills as a big, productive two-way player make him an attractive target for the Rangers.
What teams has Alex Tuch played for in the NHL?
Alex Tuch has played for the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Buffalo Sabres during his NHL career.
Related Articles
Sports
MLS Power Rankings: Following a great week, Nashville continues to rise up
ESPN News·
NFL·Injury Update
Colts' Pierce to miss workouts after ankle surgery
Colts' Alec Pierce will miss offseason workouts due to ankle surgery.
ESPN News··1 min read
Sports
WrestleMania 42: How commercials, ads and excess took over WWE's biggest weekend
WrestleMania 42 faced backlash for excessive commercials and ads.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
High school track and field: Top performances (Week 7 update) including two state record near misses
Week 7 of high school track features near-record performances!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Pistons predicted to make blockbuster trade for $150 million two-time Finals MVP to create Big Three with Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren
Pistons predicted to trade for Kawhi Leonard to form a Big Three
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Preview
Calder Cup playoffs schedule 2026: Bracket, times, TV channels, live streams, scores for AHL hockey postseason
Catch the 2026 Calder Cup playoffs schedule, teams, and streaming info!
Tuch blocked 90 shots this season — that’s quite a few for a forward — and scored three short-handed goals. He and Trocheck tied for the NHL lead with six shorties in 2024-25.
Then there’s his playoff experience, helping the Golden Knights reach the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season in 2017-18, and third round of the postseason twice more before he was traded. Now, he’s a key part of the Buffalo engine, helping the Sabres finish first in the Atlantic Division this season, ending a 14-year playoff drought.
He’s got stones, as they say. You better believe Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan are well aware of all Tuch could bring to the Rangers lineup.
Rangers must weigh pros, cons if seriously interested in free agent Alex Tuch
NHL: San Jose Sharks at Buffalo Sabres
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Of course, the Rangers aren’t the only team doing its due diligence on Tuch and watching him closely in these playoffs. He is after all widely regarded as the top forward available in free agency, after Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Kyle Connor, Artemi Panarin, and Eichel — among others — re-signed with their current teams.
The diluted 2026 UFA class is not nearly as sexy as it once looked. So, Tuch should cash in, and land a major raise on his current $4.75 million salary. Considering the state of the Rangers, who finished last in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs a second straight year, it’s unlikely they want to overpay for Tuch, especially since he’ll turn 30 next month.
The Rangers already have a trove of 30-somethings at the forward position — Mika Zibanejad, Miller, and Trocheck will all be 33 next season. Drury stated in January his desire to retool the Rangers with younger NHL talent, and NHL-ready prospects. That’s what the Rangers seek in a possible Trocheck trade, and why 20-year-old Liam Greentree was the key return from the Los Angeles Kings in the Panarin trade two months ago.
Despite New York’s scoring woes this season — they were shut out 10 times, tying a franchise record — Sullivan told reporters that he thinks the Rangers need to add another puck-moving defenseman and could bolster their bottom-six group of forwards, to take some of the heat of the top six. He seemdd to believe the Rangers are in a good spot with their top-six group of forwards.
Drury, the general manager, agreed with his coach afterward, when he said, “I thought those were two good comments by him and two specific areas.”
However, the GM did add, “We’re always looking at tweaking and looking at ways to get more scoring. Not relying on one person — spreading out the scoring — is always a good way to look at things, and we had some success that way down the stretch.”
As for Tuch, he’s a Syracuse native, so remaining with the Sabres — especially at this exciting time of their journey — could be a priority. But an extension didn’t happen yet, and the closer Tuch gets to free agency, the more likely it becomes that he’s a goner.
