Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
A major blow has just hit one of the Buffalo Sabres’ best players in the middle of this second-round series against the Canadiens.
Alex Tuch is currently living through a nightmare at the worst possible moment of his career.
The word «nightmare» can often feel excessive, but it applies here because Tuch may literally be losing millions of dollars.
The Sabres forward is reaching the end of his contract and is hoping to sign the biggest deal of his career this summer.
After a strong first round against the Boston Bruins, where he recorded 4 goals and 7 points in 6 games, Tuch has become a complete ghost against the Canadiens.
In 6 games against the Canadiens, the 30-year-old player has not recorded a single point despite his team scoring 21 goals.
If the Sabres are on the brink in this series, it is unfortunately partly because of him.
Alex Tuch’s disastrous second-round slump puts millions at stake before Game 7
On top of producing nothing offensively, the power forward has posted a disastrous -9 rating since the beginning of the second round.
Tuch even found a way to finish Game 6 with a -1 rating in what was still a dominant 8-3 Sabres victory.
This is exactly the kind of performance that can destroy an elite player’s career.
The timing could not be worse for Tuch financially.
His current salary of $4.75 million was expected to more than double this summer.
He was aiming for a long-term contract worth around $10.5 to $11 million per season.
With 33 goals and 66 points in 79 regular-season games, Tuch represented the most attractive option among the power forwards available this summer.
But his second-round numbers completely change the situation.
NHL general managers are closely watching every game. And every playoff game without offensive production lowers his negotiating power for his next contract.
For his agent, this is probably a disaster right now.
All of the financial stakes of his client’s career are literally on the line in Game 7 tonight at KeyBank Center.
On top of that, Tuch’s next contract could very well be the last major deal of his NHL career.
At 30 years old, he is on track to sign his final big contract.
Maximizing the value of that deal is therefore critical for his long-term financial security.
If the forward fails to bounce back and lead the Sabres to a victory in this elimination game against the Canadiens, the impact on his next contract would be considerable.
Game 7 therefore represents much more than just an elimination game for Alex Tuch.
It is potentially the most financially important night of his career.
Tonight should be interesting!
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Major blow hits Sabres star forward during Canadiens series before Game 7
Do you think Alex Tuch will finally break out in Game 7 tonight against the Canadiens, or will his nightmare continue at the worst moment of his career?