Maple Leafs Urged to Acquire $33.25M Gritty Forward From Division Rival

The Toronto Maple Leafs could look for an upgrade in their top-six and could look at trading with their division rival.

The Maple Leafs have been trying to get more physical and harder to play against, while also being a top offensive team. With that, NHL analyst Matteo Giuluano of EditorInLeaf urges Toronto to make a bold move to acquire Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres.

“Now, this is a fit I love. I flip-flopped between focusing on him or Byram, who would fill the puck-moving defenseman hole, but this makes too much sense for Toronto,” Giuluano wrote. “Sabres fans will get on me and mention how it’s been reported that the Sabres have no intention of trading Tuch, but it feels as though that is how it always starts with every player they move.”

Tuch is entering the final year of his seven-year, $33.25 million deal with the Sabres. With him in the final year of his deal, the Sabres could shop him to get some assets back, especially if he’s going to walk in free agency.

Tuch would add some secondary scoring to the Maple Leafs’ lineup and also make Toronto much harder to play against.

Tuch recorded 36 goals and 31 assists for 67 points in 82 games with the Sabres last season.


How Would Tuch Fit Into Maple Leafs Lineup?

If the Maple Leafs go out and trade for Tuch, he’d be a perfect player for Toronto.

Tuch could play on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, as the first-line right winger is a spot that is open since Mitch Marner left.

“He checks so many boxes for the Leafs. While he isn’t a centre, he is a right winger, which the Leafs desperately need after the departure of Mitch Marner. Tuch is also a big body who isn’t afraid to get physical, making him a perfect fit for the Berube system,” Giuluano added. “I can’t believe in the Sabres until they give me a reason to, so if they get to the deadline and aren’t in a playoff race, I can see Tuch becoming available. If he is, Treliving needs to be all over a deal for him.”

The Maple Leafs may not be able to acquire Tuch until the trade deadline, as the Sabres may want to hold onto him to see if they can compete for the playoffs.

But, if the Sabres are out of it, Tuch would be a great fit for Toronto on the top line and being someone who isn’t afraid to get physical in the playoffs.


Sabres Getting Trade Interest on Tuch

With Tuch being a pending free agent, his name has come up in trade rumors.

NHL insider James Mirtle of The Athletic reported that Tuch’s name was coming up in trade talks at the draft combine.

“Understandably, after an NHL-record 14 straight years out of the playoffs, no one is happy in Buffalo. As such, the combine hosts were the center of a lot of scuttlebutt, with three key players out there in trade rumors,” Mirtle wrote. “Alex Tuch, coming off a 36-goal season, has one year left before becoming a UFA; if he doesn’t want to sign an extension, GM Kevyn Adams likely needs to move him to ensure he doesn’t walk for no return.”

As long as Tuch hasn’t signed an extension, those trade rumors will only intensify, and the Maple Leafs should be all over it.

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