What will happen to the Buffalo Sabers this offseason?
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined Erika Watcher on NHL Network on Sunday. He got there and was asked about the situation of the Buffalo Sabers heading into the off-season as they look to re-sign Alex Tuch, Zach Benson, and the rest of the team after a successful season. Could there be a movement of players from Nyathi again.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
Erika Watcher: “Okay, free agency, always an exciting time. We can’t wait for July 1 to start and keep our eye on that. Let’s keep it in the Atlantic, because the way the Sabers ran before they were out of the playoffs in Game Seven of that second round. Now the focus is on their UFA and RFA in the classroom, and the team that feels out of shape in Buffalo?”
Alex Tuch Interviews Will Begin In The Next Two, Three Weeks
Dave Pagnotta: “Yes, this will be a difficult task for Jarmo Kekäläinen to try to make everything equal, if they can get everyone to stick together. Yes, Alex Tuck needs a new contract. He said that in the media this week, that he will talk to his family and the Sabers and everyone in the next little while to better understand where things are now.”
They had an open line of communication throughout the season, his agent Bartletts, and the Sabers, they had a very open line of communication, and Jarmo when he came in. So this is not a situation where there is hostility on both sides. They just want to get a number that matches the team.
Some key guys they have there, especially on the RFA side, (Michael) Kesselring and (Zach) Benson. Benson had a big party that came out to some extent this season, even in the playoffs. They only have about 13 million in cap space. It’s not going to be one size fits all, so they’re going to have to figure out how this kind of thing works to keep everyone, especially if they get Tuck.
And Tuck is looking at about $10.5 million to $11 million per season in AAV, if he stays in Buffalo, because that’s probably what he’ll get on the open market. He’s the top guy in this free agent class. He can order about 11. Maybe he gets one year less if he hits the open market, but you’re looking at that rotation number. So if Buffalo is in a position where they’re willing to get into that $10.5 million to $11 million range, I think you’re going to see something happen there.
The Buffalo Sabers should re-sign Alex Tuch
But if they want to hold back, you’ll certainly have options, and there will be teams looking to fill that void. Also, a very shallow free agent pool. You are at the top of the list. We’ll see what happens there. But not only that, Benson should get respectable, and Kesselring, who did not play much in the playoffs. Some teams want to know what his future will be in Buffalo.
So, we could see a little bit of intelligence, a little bit of movement out of Sabers camp going into July 1.”
NHLRumors.com Note: The Buffalo Sabers need to sign Alex Tuch. He is such an important piece to their offensive success. Lindy Ruff is back for two more seasons. However, the Sabers have some tough decisions to make. Is the goal good enough? Will Michael Kesselring be traded to free up cap space? Will part of their defensive corps be different, as they look to extend Tuch and Zach Benson? There is not much money to go around. Given the success, Tuch will want to stay, but free agency is tempting given the weak division.
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