In a significant shake-up for the franchise, the Buffalo Sabres made a bold leadership change on Monday, firing General Manager Kevyn Adams and appointing former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen as his replacement. This move signals the organization's urgent search for a new direction after enduring years outside the NHL playoffs.
Kekalainen's First Mission: Securing Alex Tuch
Immediately stepping into his role, Kekalainen has identified his top priority. According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun on TSN's Insider Trading, the new Sabres executive wants to restart contract extension negotiations with forward Alex Tuch. These discussions had previously stalled and gone cold under the previous management.
"Kekalainen absolutely wants to get those talks going back on track with Tuch," LeBrun reported. He also shed light on the major stumbling block that led to the initial breakdown, stating, "My understanding is that the Sabres weren't willing to go to double digits on the AAV (Average Annual Value), which is why those talks had fizzled."
The High-Stakes Financial Dilemma
The "double digits" LeBrun refers to means a contract with an AAV of $10 million or more. This puts Kekalainen in a tough spot right from the start. The benchmark for a player of Tuch's caliber appears to be Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings. Kempe signed a massive eight-year, $85 million extension in November, which carries an AAV of $10.625 million.
If Kempe's deal is the comparison, Kekalainen must decide whether to cross the financial threshold his predecessor avoided. Letting Tuch walk into free agency would be a devastating blow for a team craving consistency. Tuch is currently one of the most prominent pending unrestricted free agents available.
Tuch's Value Beyond the Scoresheet
While his point production this season—28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 31 games—is solid, Alex Tuch's importance to Buffalo transcends statistics. Acquired by the Sabres in 2021, he has become an integral part of the team's core. He brings a rare combination of speed, size, and offensive skill. More importantly, he is a muscular physical presence, a locker room leader, and a reliable performer in high-pressure situations.
The coming weeks will be critical for the Sabres' future. Kekalainen's intent to secure Tuch is clear, but it remains to be seen if the organization will ultimately agree to the significant financial commitment required to keep their star forward in Buffalo long-term.
