Pending unrestricted free agent Alex Tuch is moving on from the Buffalo Sabres, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen told reporters Wednesday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
The Sabres are looking at sign-and-trade options to recoup value before the forward hits free agency July 1, Kekalainen added.
The Washington Capitals are favored to land Tuch, reports Friedman.
Any completed deal is expected to resemble the eight-year, $85-million contract that Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe signed in November, reports TSN's Chris Johnston.
Tuch notched 33 goals and 66 points in 79 games last season. He recorded four goals and seven points against the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs but was a minus-8 with zero points in the second round versus the Montreal Canadiens.
The 30-year-old has eclipsed 30 goals in three of the past four campaigns. Tuch's 127 goals since 2022 are tied for 33rd in the NHL.
Tuch is coming off a seven-year deal signed in 2018 with the Vegas Golden Knights that had a $4.75-million cap hit. The Sabres acquired him in November 2021 as part of the Jack Eichel trade.
