The Buffalo Sabres plan to take an aggressive approach to the 2026 NHL trade deadline under new general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen, according to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos.
“We previously had Buffalo pegged to be a seller and pending UFA Alex Tuch to be on the way out, but their recent run and incredible climb back up the standings has changed the equation,” Kypreos reported Wednesday. “Now new GM Jarmo Kekäläinen is aggressively shopping around as a buyer.”
Buffalo is entering its first deadline with Kekäläinen, who was hired by the team on Dec. 15 following the firing of Kevyn Adams.
The Sabres will have a decision to make regarding the future of Tuch, as the forward is currently slated to hit free agency. While he’s been involved in trade rumors, he could end up staying in Buffalo.
Per Kypreos, the Sabres could ultimately meet Tuch’s salary demands of roughly $10 million on a new contract instead of parting ways with him.
Buffalo owns a 22-15-4 record, currently sitting at No. 4 in the Atlantic Division standings. The Sabres have excelled as of late, winning 11 of their past 12 games.
They’re looking to end the NHL’s longest active playoff drought, as their last postseason appearance came during the 2010-11 season.
The 2026 trade deadline is on March 6 at 3 p.m. ET.