Sabres' Alex Tuch's agent weighs in on free agency interest after dreadful playoff performance appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Buffalo Sabres are dealing with the heartbreak of having been defeated in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal by the divisional rival Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. It brought an end to their season that saw them return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Now, the work begins for Sabres GM Jarmo Kekäläinen, who succeeded the fired Kevyn Adams in mid-December. One of the top priorities he'll face is re-signing pending UFA forward Alex Tuch , who was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2022 Jack Eichel trade. Tuch scored 33 goals during the regular season, but didn't register a single point during the seven-game series against the Canadiens.
According to his agent, Scott Bartlett, his dismal performance against Montreal shouldn't affect his price tag during the offseason.
"I guarantee you it doesn't change a single thing as far as how he's viewed across the market," Scott Bartlett said via ESPN. "It's not like he was terrible. He had a huge blocked shot with no stick [in Game 7]. He created a lot. A few breakaways. It just didn't go for him."
"He was very good in Round 1," he continued. "These guys aren't robots. This is the game of hockey. There's stretches for any good player where things happen. It's not like he was not trying hard, or showing bad body language, or being completely ineffective. It's just the production didn't come," he added. "Again, these GMs are so used to that. I feel very, very confident that's not going to affect anything. He's not a 22-year-old player. This is not his first shot at the playoffs, where he just fell flat in his face."
Tuch is coming off a 7-year, $33.25 million deal that saw him earn $4.75 million annually.
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