While need obviously plays a central role in the “what” aspect of an NHL trade, timing can often be the bigger aspect in answering the “who” portion of that scenario.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are known to be coveting a high-end forward to fill a top six role. Ever since the Mitch Marner saga finally came to an end with the sign-and-trade deal that sent the dazzling winger to Vegas, endless conversation has filled the Toronto blogosphere regarding the hole that remains in the team’s roster.
Who will play on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies? How will Toronto respond to the loss of Marner’s production? Where will the Maple Leafs find a player worthy of filling those significant minutes of ice time in all situations?
The Maple Leafs have done little during the offseason to directly address the loss of Marner. There have been a few new forwards added, such as Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua, but those moves were more about stabilizing the third line and boosting the overall depth.
At this point, is there realistically anything the Maple Leafs can do to quiet the concerns? With training camps scheduled to open this week, is there any transaction they can make that would reasonably placate the troubled fan base?
This is where the timing part comes into play.
Because there just happens to be a stud forward in the midst of reportedly difficult contractual issues who just might be available for the right price. And if there’s any chance that the Maple Leafs could acquire winger Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres, they should absolutely jump in with both feet.
Contract Issues in Buffalo Could Open Door for Toronto to Acquire Alex Tuch
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period put it bluntly: “nothing is close right now between the Buffalo Sabres and power forward Alex Tuch.” For a player who grew up in upstate New York and embraced the hometown narrative when he was acquired from Vegas, that’s not exactly the kind of update Sabres fans wanted to hear about the pending free agent. And yet, for the Maple Leafs, it’s the kind of report that should set off alarm bells — in the best way.
The Sabres may want to keep Tuch, but if they fear losing him long-term, this is the moment when his value is at its peak. That’s why Toronto should be on the phone right now, before the first puck of preseason ever drops.
For all the chatter about who could possibly step into Marner’s shoes, it’s hard to imagine a more seamless stylistic fit than Alex Tuch. The 6-foot-4, 219-pound winger brings size, speed, and a relentless north-south game that would mesh perfectly alongside Matthews and Knies.
Tuch has been a consistent top-line performer in Buffalo, twice scoring 36 goals, while notching 59-plus points in each of the past three seasons. He plays with pace, has a heavy shot, and thrives in puck battles down low — exactly the kind of complementary traits Toronto’s top line needs to offset Matthews’ shooting gravity and Knies’ forechecking bite.
Beyond the raw production, Tuch plays in every situation. He logs power play minutes, kills penalties, and has shown a knack for clutch scoring. And then there’s the intangible piece: 66 games of playoff experience. Tuch’s runs with Vegas included a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018, where he proved he could handle the spotlight. For a Leafs team still haunted by spring collapses, that matters.
Put simply, Alex Tuch is exactly the type of forward Toronto has been trying to find for years — and the timing of his contract dispute makes him attainable.
Of course, fitting a $4.75 million cap hit into Toronto’s already-tight payroll requires creativity. That’s where the deal structure comes in.
Nicholas Robertson Could Headline Package to Buffalo for Power Forward Alex Tuch
The most logical centerpiece is Nicholas Robertson. It’s been a stop-and-start journey for Robertson in Toronto, and despite flashes of his scoring ability, it seems inevitable that he needs a change of scenery. Buffalo, in the midst of shaping its forward depth around Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn, and J.J. Peterka, could offer him a cleaner runway to finally establish himself as a full-time NHL scorer.
To make the money work, Toronto would also move Scott Laughton, who was acquired earlier this summer but is more of a bottom-six luxury than a necessity if Tuch arrives.
The sweetener? Prospect Miroslav Holinka, who just impressed scouts at the recent prospects showcase tournament with his skating and offensive instincts. Holinka’s timing couldn’t be better — his stock is rising, and he represents the kind of future asset a team like Buffalo might covet in retooling its depth chart.
Finally, the Leafs would add a conditional 2028 first-round pick, with the condition tied to Tuch signing a long-term extension in Toronto. If the Leafs lock him up, Buffalo gets a premium pick. If not, the condition slides down to a second-rounder.
It’s a lot to give up — Robertson’s upside, Laughton’s versatility, Holinka’s promise, and a future first — but that’s the price for a proven top-line winger in his prime. And considering the Leafs’ desperation to steady their roster post-Marner, it’s the kind of aggressive swing that could change the trajectory of their season.
For once, Toronto’s timing problem could actually be its biggest opportunity. The Leafs need a top-line forward. The Sabres have one in contractual limbo. And Alex Tuch looks like the exact puzzle piece that could turn the Leafs from fragile to formidable.
If Brad Treliving and company are serious about pushing this core back into contention, the call to Buffalo should already be made. Because in the NHL, timing is everything.
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