Sabres rumors: Insider floats Owen Power trade scenario if Alex Tuch isn’t re-signed

For the first time since 2011, the Buffalo Sabres qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and gave their fans at KeyBank Centre an electric atmosphere as they dispatched the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal in six games.

But the Sabres’ season ended at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, who ultimately emerged victorious with a 3-2 double overtime victory in Game 7 of the second round. The best Sabres season in recent memory came to a close, and now the work begins for GM Jarmo Kekäläinen. One of the biggest matters of business he must take care of is a new contract for pending Sabres UFA forward Alex Tuch, but it sounds like the two sides are at a stalemate.

If Tuch were to choose a new team in free agency, does that open the door for a trade of former first overall pick in defenseman Owen Power for a top-six winger? David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period thinks it’s possible.

“As Irf Gaffar and I spoke about on today’s episode of DFO Rundown Insider Edition, some teams appear curious about Buffalo Sabres blueliner Owen Power,” Pagnotta wrote via The Fourth Period. “If Alex Tuch walks, and that seems to be the plan unless the Sabres step up their offer right now, could Buffalo explore moving Power for a top-line winger?”

Power, whom the Sabres selected with the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft out of the University of Michigan, was signed to a seven-year, $58.45 million contract extension in 2023. In 323 career NHL games, he’s tallied 27 goals with 113 assists for 140 points.

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