Alex Tuch is set to be the NHL's top prize if he makes it to free agency on July 1. Should the Capitals be one of the teams offering him a big-money contract?

This year’s NHL free-agent class is shallow in top-end talent, with Alex Tuch standing out as the main forward option. Only four forwards, and six players overall, reached at least 60 points last season and are unrestricted free agents on July 1. Tuch has spent five seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, posting a career-best 79 points in 2022-23 and 66 points in 79 games this past season, plus seven points in 13 playoff games. The key issue is whether he reaches unrestricted free agency or is re-signed first. The Sabres have $12.9 million in cap space, and his next deal is projected at seven years worth $10.12 million per season. Buffalo also faces multiple other contract decisions, including Zach Benson, expected to seek $5-7 million per season as a restricted free agent.

"This year’s crop of NHL free agents is set to be incredibly shallow in high-end talent, aside from one name: forward Alex Tuch. The Buffalo Sabres winger is one of just four forwards - and six players overall - who scored at least 60 points or more last season and will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The other three forwards in that group are Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, and Anthony Mantha, with Mantha being the likely only other option to Tuch for 31 teams in the league."

"Tuch, a Syracuse, New York native, has spent the past five seasons with the Sabres, recording a career-best 79 points (36g, 43a) during the 2022-23 campaign. This past season, he finished third on the team in scoring with 66 points (33g, 33a) in 79 games, adding seven points (4g, 3a) in 13 playoff games for the upstart Sabres. The biggest question surrounding Tuch will be whether he even reaches unrestricted free agency, as the Sabres could seek to re-sign him before any other team can extend their best offer."

"Buffalo's problem will be how expensive Tuch could be as they are set to have just $12.9 million in cap space the summer, and per AFP Analytics, Tuch's next deal is projected to be a seven-year contract worth $10.12 million per season. "I have no idea," Tuch said earlier this week. "I wish I could tell you the future. I'm going to do whatever is best for myself and my family. I don't know how the talks are going to proceed. I don't know what they are going to say. I don't know the future. But my main priority is my family.""

"Tuch is also not the only free agent the Sabres will have to decide on, as Zach Benson, Peyton Krebs, Beck Malenstyn, Tanner Pearson, Joshua Dunne, Michael Kesselring, Luke Schenn, and Logan Stanley are all not yet under contract for next year. Benson, a scheduled restricted free agent, is expected to command around $5-7 million per season, depending on the length of contract he signs. With Tuch currently slated to h"

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