Sabres Pursue Long-Term Deal for Zach Benson Amid Alex Tuch Trade Speculation

As the Buffalo Sabres navigate the offseason, the focus has shifted towards securing the future of young talent. General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen emphasized the importance of extending contracts for key players during the season-ending media availability last month. Among those on his agenda are defenseman Bowen Byram and winger Zach Benson, though recent reports suggest that securing Byram may face challenges as trade rumors swirl around him. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes has revealed that the Sabres are actively working on a long-term extension for Benson.

Benson, just 21 years old, has shown promise, finishing his third NHL season with an impressive nine points in the playoffs. According to Weekes, the Sabres are looking to lock him into a seven-year deal that exceeds $7 million per season, reflecting the contract structure they offered his linemate, Josh Doan, earlier in the season. As a restricted free agent this summer, Benson’s performance has placed him among the top players from the 2023 NHL Draft, trailing only Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli in games played.

“We locked up Josh early because we saw the character, the competitiveness, and potential for a leadership role long into the future,” Kekalainen stated. “Zach is a true core piece that fills all the boxes, maybe not the height, but everything else. The way he plays, how he’s just relentless, a dog on the bone. I can’t say enough good things about Zach Benson. He’s got skill, he’s got hockey sense, he’s got instincts. He’s relentless; he’s a competitor.”

As the Sabres head into the summer, they find themselves with just under $12 million in available cap space. Alongside Benson, forward Peyton Krebs is also a restricted free agent, while wingers Alex Tuch and Beck Malenstyn are set to hit unrestricted free agency. Recent reports from The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun indicate a significant divide between the Sabres and Tuch regarding a new contract.

The 30-year-old forward is expected to attract considerable interest when free agency opens on July 1, reportedly seeking a long-term deal that exceeds $10 million per season. Given the Sabres’ limited cap space, extending Benson could complicate Tuch’s chances of returning unless the team can maneuver to clear additional contracts.

To facilitate a potential trade, Buffalo might explore options such as dealing Tuch’s negotiating rights before free agency or executing a sign-and-trade during the NHL Draft, similar to recent moves made by other teams. However, such actions could yield only a mid-round pick in return, similar to what the Lightning received for defenseman Darren Raddysh.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.