The 2 players not named Alex Tuch Sabres GM is prioritizing signing to long-term extensions

Coming off a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, the Buffalo Sabres have a lot of work to do with a tight salary cap. With Alex Tuch seeking a new contract, Sabers general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen is also looking to extend long-term contracts to 2 other players, according to Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic.

“Kekäläinen mentioned he told (Zach) Benson and defenseman Bo Byram he was hopeful to sign them long-term. Benson, 21, is a restricted free agent, and Kekäläinen raved about the season he had, calling him a “core piece.” Fairburn wrote.

Tuch is an unrestricted free agent. He is coming off a season where he finished with 33 goals and 66 total points. But the Sabres also have Benson and Byrum to worry about. Currently, Benson is an RFA, which means another team can offer sheet him. Byrum will become an RFA after the end of next season.

Benson finished with 13 goals and 43 total points across 65 games. This marked a career high for him in his third season. But as his rookie contract nears its end, there is pressure on the Sabres to extend him.

Byram noted that the main initiative for signing an extension would be winning. Ultimately, the goal is to compete for the Stanley Cup every year. Despite things being tight, the salary cap will go up this season, along with the rest of the league. Kekäläinen will prioritize Benson and Tuck. Yet, there will also be room to discuss Byram, who finished with 11 goals and 42 total points this past season.

Byrum has been with the team since the Colorado Avalanche traded him to the Sabres in March. Now, the question is if he will sign an extension in the near future.

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