Buffalo Sabers 2023-24 Player Report Card: Alex Tuch – Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabers

The 2023-24 season is pretty forgettable for the Buffalo Sabers and almost all of their players. With a few notable exceptions, everyone wearing blue and gold this season has been frustrated in one way or another and making report cards like we've done in the past may seem silly this time around. Then again, it will be necessary to take a closer look in many cases and Alex Tuch will be one of them.

On the face of it, Tuch's second full season in Buffalo was disappointing and he can't be put in the same category as many of his teammates. But while his numbers are down (especially in some situations), he's actually played a lot better than it looked and is still a big part of the Sabers as they try to right the ship going forward.

Tuch Moves Forward Despite Cold Outrage

In 2022-23, Buffalo found something of a winning formula in the form of an offensive mantra. By scoring first and getting more later, the Sabers scored the third most goals in the NHL and their new top line of Tuch, Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner was leading the way. The trio found incredible synergy together and quickly became one of the most dangerous trios in the game, posting a combined 118 goals, 137 assists, and 255 points. They were the core of a high-octane offensive engine that drove the team all season and within one point of its first playoff appearance in more than a decade.

It was a banner year offensively for the Sabers (reminiscent of their mid-2000s glory days), but it was because of Tuch himself. After years of showing great potential but not being able to fully tap into it, he finally had the breakout he'd been waiting for and his 79 points surpassed his previous 52 points. Fans loved his personality and character as soon as he arrived. in 2021, but that season showed he can also walk.

Entering this season, there was hope that the goal would continue, but it happened. The offensive engine suddenly ran out of gas and the Sabers looked like a markedly different team without it. There were many reasons for how it happened, mainly because the current head coach Don Granato tried to switch to a defensive style. Last season's high-risk, high-reward mentality undoubtedly produced results, but it also led to a minus-4 goal differential that proved to be an Achilles' heel. Granato tried to fix the problem and it may have been his undoing.

Related: Buffalo Sabers 2023-24 Player Report Card: Zach Benson

With the team now having a different focus, many players failed to develop in their prime and, statistically, Tuch was one of them. The 27-year-old's production dropped from 36 to 22 and assists from 43 to 37. A score of 59 isn't bad by any means, but it was far below expectations. Thompson and Skinner suffered similar setbacks and the Sabers were more of a threat without their big three lighting up like they have in the past.

However, when looking at the overall picture, Tuch had a very solid season and continued to epitomize the type of play his team desperately needs. Even if it came at the cost of the offense, Buffalo's defense improved and helped the team finish with a plus-2 differential this time around. The better performance of the two sides from the front was probably the main reason. Thompson has made impressive efforts to increase his overall awareness and Jordan Greenway has had an outstanding season in a third-line scouting role.

It was Tuch who continued to set the standard, however, as he has been one of the best defensive players in the NHL since his debut but gets far less credit than he deserves. His alert play was invaluable and he was also the go-to man in all situations thanks to his diligent back-checking and intelligence with the puck. Although his production dropped by 20 points, he still posted a plus-9 rating that was tied for fifth on the team. He continued to show arrogance and leadership which has made him very popular with fans.

It wasn't quite the same electric season for the Central New York native but he still had a few big moments along the way despite that. Perhaps his highlight of the year came in Buffalo on November 24 when he scored with less than three minutes left to cap a dramatic third-period three-goal contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Next Sabers Captain?

Although he didn't get the letter on his jersey until late this season, Tuch has been a leader for the Sabers since the day he arrived and seems to be respected by everyone in the locker room. Kyle Okposo was made captain in the fall of 2022 because of his high ranking, but the honor could go to Tuch and it may be coming soon.

2023-24 was a changing of the guard for the Sabres, as Okposo was traded due to his expiring contract and Granato was fired due to the team's inability to move forward. Another new era is upon us and it has already begun. The Sabers shocked the hockey world last week by naming a familiar face as Granato's replacement, bringing back longtime coach Lindy Ruff. The popular no-nonsense bench manager will be tasked with making the team strong and reach the next level, something Granato has proven unable to do.

Tuch has yet to play a game for Ruff but is familiar with his new coach. A Sabers fan as a child, he often talks about his fond memories growing up watching the teams coached by Ruff from 1997 to 2013 and was candid when asked about the possibility of being rehired.