NHL Rumor Roundup: Can The Sabres Re-Sign Tuch? Will The Penguins Move Rust Or Rakell?
After nearly 15 years in the wilderness, the Buffalo Sabres emerged this season among the top teams in the NHL.
Despite falling to the Montreal Canadiens in a thrilling second-round series that went the full seven games, the Sabres served notice that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Heading into the off-season, GM Jarmo Kekalainen will focus on improving his roster for next season.
His priority will be trying to sign right winger Alex Tuch to a contract extension, according to ESPN.com's Kristen Shilton. The 30-year-old power forward is slated to become a UFA on July 1.
Buffalo Sabres Unsure If Alex Tuch Will Be Back: 'I Don't Know Where His Head's At'
Whatever you thought of Tuch's value before the playoffs, it appears to have taken a hit after the Buffalo Sabres power forward went without a point and was a minus-10 in a seven-game loss to the Montreal Canadiens in the second round.
Shilton also suggested that Kekalainen seek out additional scoring depth, physicality and defensive help. Options in the UFA market could include Rasmus Andersson of the Vegas Golden Knights, Anthony Mantha of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Viktor Arvidsson of the Boston Bruins.
Jonathan Bailey of The Hockey News suggested the Philadelphia Flyers look into acquiring Devon Levi. Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek believes the young goaltender could be on his way out after struggling to crack the Sabres lineup.
Post-Mortem: What Will Happen To The Buffalo Sabres After A Breakout Year?
The Buffalo Sabres had a largely terrific year that ended with a Game 7 overtime loss at home. How will they improve on this breakout season and prove it's no fluke?
Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, potential moves by Penguins GM Kyle Dubas remain the topic of media conjecture.
Josh Yohe of The Athletic believes it's time for Dubas to make some decisions to "distance himself from nostalgia." That would mean parting ways with longtime star Evgeni Malkin, who is UFA-eligible on July 1.
If Dubas decides to bring Malkin back for another season, he recommends shopping veteran wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell while their value remains high.
Rust, 34, is signed through 2027-28 with an affordable average annual value of $5.125 million and lacks no-trade protection. Rakell, 33, also has two more seasons remaining on his contract with a $5-million cap hit and an eight-team no-trade list.
Rust and Rakell frequently surfaced in trade rumors during the last two off-seasons, but Dubas refrained from peddling them. Nevertheless, he could be open to the possibility of moving one or both if they'll bring in at least a young NHL-ready player, and a draft pick or a promising prospect.
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 9:01 AM.