Forward Alex Tuch is headed to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade agreement that includes an eight-year contract worth $84 million. The Buffalo Sabres will receive a third-round pick in the transaction.
Tuch, 30, spent five seasons with the Sabres, serving as an alternate captain. He was acquired by Buffalo in 2021 as part of the trade that sent Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights. Tuch, a native of Baldwinsville, N.Y., grew up as a Sabres fan.
During his tenure with Buffalo, Tuch played in 360 games, accumulating 309 points. He achieved three seasons with 30 or more goals, and his most productive season came in 2022-23, when he recorded 79 points. In the 2023-24 season, which saw the Sabres end a 14-year playoff drought, Tuch scored 33 goals and posted 66 points. He contributed seven points in six games during the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins, a series Buffalo won in six games, but his production decreased significantly in the second round.
Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen had indicated earlier on Wednesday that he anticipated Tuch’s departure from the team. Tuch was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. While both parties had expressed a desire to negotiate a new contract, the financial gap proved too wide to bridge.
The Capitals have been active in their offseason moves, having also acquired forward Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Washington awaits a decision from Alex Ovechkin regarding his potential retirement before the upcoming season, with an announcement not expected before July 1.