The Washington Capitals added another forward on Wednesday. The franchise agreed to acquire forward Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade deal with the Buffalo Sabres, according to multiple reports.
The Capitals sent a third-round pick to the Sabres in the exchange.
Reports also indicated that the 30-year-old first signed an eight-year contract extension worth $10 million-plus per year with the Sabres for the deal to happen with the Capitals.
Tuch recorded 33 goals and 33 assists in Buffalo last season, helping the Sabres to their first playoff appearance in 14 seasons. He had been a steady producer across five seasons with Buffalo, scoring a career-high 79 points during the 2022-23 campaign.
The Sabres confirmed their plans to part ways with Tuch this week after contract negotiations stalled. The Boston College product would’ve become an unrestricted free agent next week.
“I don’t think at this point that we’ve come to any point in our talks that would indicate that he’d want to sign with us,” Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “So I think he’s moving on. … He’ll be missed.”
Tuch started his career with the Minnesota Wild, appearing in just six NHL games before he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017. Vegas shipped the New York native to Buffalo in 2021 in a trade that brought Jack Eichel to the Golden Knights.
In 10 career seasons, Tuch has tallied 200 goals and 248 assists as a top-line forward.
Tuch represents the second major move made by the Capitals this week. The franchise acquired 28-year-old forward Jordan Kyrou through a trade with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Washington sent a first-round pick, Connor McMichael and prospect Milton Gastrin to St. Louis in the exchange.
“We believe he is an ideal fit for our team both now and for the long term,” Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said. “Jordan is an exceptionally talented and dynamic offensive player who will make an immediate impact on our club. His skill, creativity and ability to generate offense at an elite level will be a tremendous addition to our group.”
Kyrou, who tallied three 70-point seasons with the Blues, waived his no-trade clause to join the Capitals. The Toronto native had a down year last season, recording just 18 goals and 28 assists, his lowest marks since the 2020-21 season.
“It’s nice seeing a team really, really want me,” Kyrou said Wednesday. “It just makes me excited to come join the organization. … I think I’ve got a lot to prove, and I’ll bounce back here this year.”
The Capitals’ biggest offseason question mark remains unanswered. Longtime captain Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, is slated to become a free agent on July 1. The 40-year-old has said he has no plans to play for another NHL team, but openly pondered retirement at the end of last season.
After the Capitals missed the postseason, Ovechkin told reporters he’d likely make a retirement decision early in the summer.
• This story is based in part on wire service reports.
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