Alex Tuch Faces the Sabres for the First Time Since His Move to Washington

“I’ve just got a big, dumb smile on my face,” Alex Tuch said Friday, anticipating his first game against the Buffalo Sabres as a Washington Capital.

Saturday’s meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. MDT at Capital One Arena in Washington.

His first game back in Buffalo comes later, on March 18.

The Buffalo connection preceded his NHL career. When the Sabres announced his acquisition in November 2021, they identified the Syracuse native as a fan who had grown up supporting them. He had already trained with Matt Ellis at the Academy of Hockey inside LECOM Harborcenter during previous offseasons.

His professional path had taken him elsewhere first. The NHL’s official player record lists Minnesota’s selection of Tuch 18th overall in 2014, followed by two seasons at Boston College. His first NHL season included six games with the Wild in 2016-17.

He became part of Vegas’ inaugural team the next season. As Washington recalled in its June acquisition announcement, Tuch had 37 points in 78 regular-season games as a rookie and added 10 points in 20 playoff games while the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Buffalo acquired him on November 4, 2021, in the deal that sent Jack Eichel to Vegas. Tuch arrived with forward Peyton Krebs, a protected first-round pick and a second-round pick; Buffalo also sent a third-rounder to the Golden Knights. The transaction made him part of the Sabres’ return for their former captain.

The Sabres’ contemporary announcement described a 25-year-old with 139 points in 255 NHL games and 33 points in 66 playoff appearances. He was recovering from July shoulder surgery and had yet to play that season. Buffalo was acquiring both established experience and a player still in the middle of his career.

Buffalo’s original announcement listed his contract through 2025-26 at a $4.75 million average annual value. The agreement extended across the five seasons he would spend with the Sabres, tying his next contract decision to the end of that run.

His production grew in Buffalo. The NHL’s season record shows 38 points in 50 games in 2021-22, then 36 goals and 79 points in 74 games the following season. In 2025-26, his final Buffalo regular season, he scored 33 goals and had 66 points in 79 games.

Across five seasons, he contributed 139 goals and 309 points in 360 games for the Sabres. Washington’s signing announcement placed him second behind Tage Thompson in goals, assists and points during that span. The Capitals were adding a player whose responsibility had grown over several seasons with one team.

His last Buffalo season also showed the range of that responsibility. Washington’s announcement noted 90 blocked shots, most among Sabres forwards, and three shorthanded goals. His 47 five-on-five points led the team. His value to his new club included defensive work and penalty killing alongside his scoring.

The shared experience mattered to Tuch. In NHL.com’s Friday account, he took pride in helping Buffalo end its 14-season playoff drought. That run ended against Montreal in a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 7 of the second round.

The next decision was contractual. In its June 24 trade announcement, Buffalo said general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen had explained that the team did not expect to re-sign Tuch and had pursued a sign-and-trade agreement. His existing deal was approaching its July 1 expiration.

The announced return was a third-round pick in the 2027 Draft, originally belonging to San Jose, and David Kampf. Buffalo noted that Kampf, too, was due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The transaction established the terms of Tuch’s departure before the free-agent market opened.

Before the trade, Buffalo signed Tuch to an eight-year, $84 million extension, carrying a $10.5 million average annual value. Washington acquired that commitment with the player. General manager Chris Patrick described him as a top-six forward with size, versatility and the ability to contribute in different situations.

Washington has asked him to move from his natural right wing to the left side, NHL.com reported. Tuch said the group had welcomed him and that he had found chemistry with different teammates.

From his Washington debut through his first nine games, his official record shows five goals, two assists and an average of 18:48 on the ice. One goal was shorthanded. Those are early 2026-27 totals, distinct from the larger Buffalo record he brings to this meeting.

Tuch planned to meet former teammates for dinner Friday. He told NHL.com that leaving Buffalo as a veteran who had mentored younger players felt different from his earlier move out of Vegas. Saturday gives those relationships their first competitive test in opposing uniforms.

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said in the Sabres’ Saturday report that “it’s going to be strange now to coach against him.” Tage Thompson also described an unfamiliar feeling, while expecting the game itself to take over once play begins.