Last week, analyst Jeff Marek floated the notion that Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch might be an ideal candidate to join Connor McDavid on Edmonton Oilers' top line. What began as casual speculation has quickly turned into one of the more talked-about “what-if” scenarios of October.
For Buffalo, Tuch’s importance is difficult to overstate. Since arriving from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Jack Eichel trade in 2021, he has grown into both a locker-room leader and one of the team’s most reliable offensive drivers.
Tuch is signed through 2025-26 on a $33.25 million deal with $4.75 million AAV, one of the league’s best value contracts for a top-six winger of his caliber. That affordability, combined with his leadership presence, makes him an essential piece of Buffalo’s core but also paradoxically a player whose future could become complicated if the Sabres’ playoff hopes fade again this spring.
Jeff Marek speculates Alex Tuch might be the missing piece in Edmonton
Tuch is eligible for an extension next summer and so far there’s been no indication of serious progress toward one. That uncertainty has led to growing speculation about his long-term fit in Western New York and whether another franchise might view him as the kind of final piece to push a contender over the top.
That’s where Edmonton enters the picture.
The Oilers operating in full “win-now” mode continue to hunt for a stable top-line winger who can keep up with McDavid’s pace while adding physicality and defensive presence. Despite offseason additions like Jack Roslovic and Trent Frederic, the search for a consistent scoring winger remains one of the few unchecked boxes on the roster.
It was in that context that NHL insider Jeff Marek recently added fuel to the fire on Morning Cuppa Hockey last week.
“He still hasn’t re-signed; it’s not a great situation, you wonder about players leaving,” Marek said. “How good would Alex Tuch look riding shotgun with Connor McDavid, could that be the player the Oilers are looking at here?”
Jeff Marek: Re Alex Tuch: He still hasn't resigned; it's not a great situation, you wonder about players leaving; how good would Alex Tuch look riding shotgun with Connor McDavid, could that be the player the Oilers are looking at here? - Morning Cuppa Hockey (10/9)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) October 12, 2025
Tuch’s skill set makes him an almost tailor-made fit for Edmonton. His ability to play a direct north-south game complements McDavid’s explosiveness and his proven scoring touch would provide secondary offense behind Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman. Add in his playoff experience from Vegas, and it’s easy to see why analysts have begun to connect the dots.
Oilers cap crunch reality
Still, the dream scenario runs straight into a financial wall. Edmonton sits tight against the $95.5 million salary cap and as columnist David Staples has pointed out general manager Stan Bowman would need to move significant money to make any deal possible.
With few movable contracts and limited high-end draft picks with their 2027 first-rounder being the only premium chip available, the Oilers path to acquiring a player like Tuch is murky at best.
For Buffalo, meanwhile, trading one of its leaders midseason would represent a step back for a franchise still trying to find its identity given he produced 36 goals and 31 assists for 67 points in 82 games matching his career-best in goals while continuing on their top line.
That leaves the most realistic window for any pursuit opening next summer, when Edmonton’s cap situation should loosen and Tuch can enter extension talks with Buffalo or explore new opportunities.