Power Trade in Play? Why Buffalo Could Move Its Top Defenseman if Tuch Walks

The Buffalo Sabres just gave their fans something they hadn’t felt in more than a decade: a deep playoff run. For the first time since 2011, the team not only made the Stanley Cup Playoffs but took down the Boston Bruins in six games at a roaring KeyBank Center. The dream ended in double overtime of Game 7 against Montreal, but the momentum was real.

Now comes the hard part. General manager Jarmo Kekäläinen has to keep the core together, and the biggest question mark is pending unrestricted free agent Alex Tuch. According to reports, contract talks between the Sabres and Tuch’s camp have stalled, and the two sides appear headed for a split unless Buffalo significantly improves its offer.

If Tuch Leaves, Who Fills the Gap?

Losing a top-six winger like Tuch would leave a glaring hole in Buffalo’s lineup. But according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, there could be a bold way to fill it: trade defenseman Owen Power for a top-line winger.

“As Irf Gaffar and I spoke about on today’s episode of DFO Rundown Insider Edition, some teams appear curious about Buffalo Sabres blueliner Owen Power,” Pagnotta wrote. “If Alex Tuch walks, and that seems to be the plan unless the Sabres step up their offer right now, could Buffalo explore moving Power for a top-line winger?”

The idea is striking because Power is exactly the kind of player most teams build around, not trade. The Sabres selected the 22-year-old defenseman first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft out of the University of Michigan, and they locked him into a seven-year, $58.45 million extension in 2023. In 323 career games, Power has 27 goals and 113 assists — solid production from the blue line.

Why This Could Actually Happen

The Sabres are deep on defense, with Rasmus Dahlin already anchoring the top pairing and young talent like Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson under contract. Moving Power — especially while his value is high — could bring back the kind of scoring forward the team would lose with Tuch’s departure. It would be a hockey trade, not a salary dump.

The team has not confirmed any trade discussions, and Power’s name being floated is still speculative. But the logic is clear: if Buffalo can’t keep Tuch, it may need to spend from its defensive surplus to stay competitive. The Sabres have built for years to get back to relevance. The question now is whether they have the stomach to make a painful move to keep climbing.

Fans online have been split — some see Power as untouchable, while others point to the team’s need for a proven scorer. Either way, Kekäläinen has a decision to make, and the market is watching.