With the 2025 Trade Deadline approaching, the
Tampa Bay Lightning are shaping up to be buyers again. They have been one of the busiest teams at the deadline over the past few seasons,
trading for Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow during their Stanley Cup runs. However, the Lightning recently moved away from adding rentals and acquired long-term pieces like Brandon Hagel and Nick Paul. This season, the Lightning could be interested in trading for winger
Alex Tuch .
Elliotte Freidman claimed the
Lightning would be interested in the
Buffalo Sabres forward if he became available. Would he be a good fit and at what cost?
Disclaimer: The players featured in these articles aren’t always linked to the Lightning but have been made available in some capacity this season. These articles consider whether Tampa Bay should target them and at what cost. Tuch’s Background
Following his rise through the ranks at the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), Tuch spent two seasons at Boston College where he tore up the NCAA. The Minnesota Wild’s 2014 first-round selection looked like a stud in the making with his six-foot-four frame. However, the Vegas Golden Knights took an interest in Tuch at the 2017 NHL expansion draft, making a trade to acquire him as a member of the inaugural Golden Knights roster. After four seasons with Vegas, Tuch was traded to his hometown Sabres in 2021. A Syracuse, New York native, Tuch continues to play some of his best hockey in Buffalo, including 36 goals and 79 points in 76 games in the 2022-23 season. While that might have been a career year, he appears to be a respectable 60 to 70-point top-six winger. He’s in the sixth year of his seven-year deal with a cap hit of $4.75 million per season.
Tuch Scouting Report
Tuch is a well-rounded power forward who’s seen a drop in speed relative to his stellar 2022-23 campaign via
NHL Edge statistics. He went from the 92nd percentile of top skating speed in 2023 to just the 62nd percentile in 2025 amongst forwards. He generates most of his offense off the rush with Tage Thompson as a primary linemate in recent years. Compared to Kyle Palmieri,
another target we looked at , Tuch also has a powerful shot. He brings size and passing ability while also being younger and not a pure rental. With that, why would the Lightning be interested in his services?
Tuch’s Strengths
His size and speed make him an intriguing asset for any team. He’s an extremely versatile player, whether you need a goal or physical tone in the corner. Furthermore, Tuch has an underappreciated defensive impact at five-on-five. He ranks fifth with 54 blocked shots amongst forwards. On top of his on-ice impact, Tuch brings organizational value to Tampa Bay. The Lightning would get him at a cap hit of $4.75 million for the remainder of this season and for 2025-26, meaning he could make a long-term difference on the ice and financially.
Tuch’s Weaknesses
Similar to Palmieri, Tuch struggles to establish offensive zone time, granted he plays for a bottom-of-the-barrel Buffalo team. He ranks below the 50th percentile in offensive zone time at even strength via NHL Edge and controls 47.92% of the on-ice expected goal share (xGF%) via
Evolving Hockey . Tuch has posted excellent possession metrics throughout his career, except for the past two seasons, so hopefully, he can regain his play-driving in a new environment.
What it Would (Likely) Take to Acquire Tuch
General manager Julien BriseBois has $5.22 million in cap space to work with at the trade deadline.
Timo Meier has similar value and was acquired by the New Jersey Devils from the San Jose Sharks in a blockbuster deal at the 2023 Trade Deadline. There are too many assets involved to list in this article, but the main ones include a first-round pick, second-round pick, roster player, and solid prospect. Meier plays an identical power-forward style to Tuch, using his size and speed to his advantage. Outside of Meier, there haven’t been any comparable deals in recent memory. Below is the framework for a Tuch to Tampa Bay trade, and there would likely be more minor assets involved. Therefore, here’s an outline to keep things simple.
How Both Sides Benefit From the Trade
Lightning
The Lightning acquire a talented top-six winger to help fill a gaping hole in their forward core. Secondary scoring has continued to be an issue since their Stanley Cup wins, and Tampa Bay addresses this problem with a splash at the deadline. Moreover, Tuch is signed beyond this season, and the Lightning could lock him up long-term with the rising salary cap.
Sabres
A retool is essential for Buffalo to get back in the playoff race because this current core isn’t getting the job done. With Tuch’s deal expiring after the 2025-26 season, the Sabres would be able to get more back by trading him with some term left on his deal. A contender like the Lightning looks for players signed beyond the season they acquire them. The Sabres add some draft capital, a solid puck-moving defender in Nick Perbix, and another upcoming forward prospect in Ethan Gauthier.
Tampa Bay Lightning: In or Out on Tuch ?
There’s no question that Tuch is the most popular trade target amongst Lightning fans ahead of the deadline. Yet, he’s the most costly. Tampa Bay will have to give up their best draft picks and prospects, or else they will likely get out-bid by the Los Angeles Kings, another team that’s shown interest in the power forward. At 28 years old, Tuch has the potential to be one of the most sought-after players on the market at the 2025 Trade Deadline and would address a ton of the Lightning’s flaws. He is a great idea for the Lightning, but they must be willing to pay the price.
