The New York Rangers enter the 2025-26 campaign trying to retool without tearing down their veteran core, with a focus on injecting more scoring punch into the top six. Affordable high end options are scarce, but one name that continues to surface is Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch.
Tuch, 29, is in the final season of a seven-year, $33.25 million contract and is coming off a 36-goal campaign. He’s topped 30 goals in two of the last three years, making him the type of proven scorer the Rangers could use alongside their established stars.
A hypothetical deal being discussed looks like this:
Rangers receive:
- Alex Tuch, F
- Jacob Bryson, D
Sabres receive:
- 2026 first-round pick (likely Carolina’s, allowing the Rangers to keep their own)
- Will Cuylle, F
In this proposal, Buffalo retains half of Tuch’s cap hit, justifying the first-round pick in return. Cuylle, meanwhile, gives the Sabres a ready-made lineup piece who could potentially grow into a top-six role.
For New York, Bryson would serve as a depth defenseman with the potential to take on more responsibility, possibly allowing the Rangers to move a veteran blueliner at the deadline.
Why Tuch Makes Sense
For the Rangers, adding Tuch now directly addresses a glaring need for more top-six scoring. He’s already a proven 30-goal winger and could push toward 40 goals if paired with the right center. At his age, extending him on a multi-year deal wouldn’t be considered an overreach.
The Risk of Trading Cuylle
Cuylle is coming off a 20-goal season and has shown steady growth. While Tuch offers a proven track record, the gamble is that Cuylle may continue developing into a 30- or even 40-goal scorer himself. If that happens after a trade, New York risks losing a long-term asset for short-term gain.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to the Rangers’ priorities. If the focus is on maximizing the current window with their veteran core, swinging a deal for Tuch could be the right move. If they prefer to bet on internal growth, holding on to Cuylle might be the wiser play.
