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Alex Tuch<\/a>\u2019s time with the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> appears to be at an end, but hitting the free-agent market is far from a guarantee. <\/p>\n General manager Jarmo Kekalainen spoke with reporters on Wednesday and indicated that the pending unrestricted free agent\u2019s time in Buffalo is over one way or another as the team considers a sign-and-trade to recoup assets.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s going to be missed but we\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Kekalainen said via Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News.<\/p>\n TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports a sign-and-trade is likely and the Washington Capitals<\/a> are considered the frontrunner. <\/p>\n TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports that if and when the sign-and-trade moves forward, Tuch is expected to land a deal in the same range Adrian Kempe<\/a>, who inked an eight-year, $85 million deal with the Los Angeles Kings<\/a> in November with a $10.65 million cap hit.<\/p>\n Dreger earlier this week the Sabres were trying to circle back on signing Tuch to an extension before free agency opens next week. Johnston reported Tuesday evening that even after the team opened up cap space with the move to send defenceman Bowen Byram to Chicago<\/a> as part of a package involving the No. 4 overall pick, the sense was it still would not change the direction of talks with Tuch. <\/p>\n TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported Wednesday afternoon the Sabres made a \u201cpretty solid\u201d offer to Tuch, but could not reach a deal.<\/p>\n The 30-year-old was noncommittal about his future in Buffalo at the team\u2019s season-ending media availability last month. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have a timeline right now,\u201d Tuch said<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019ve been so focused on hockey and playoffs. Once we finish here today, we\u2019ll start having those conversations with my agent, my wife, my family and the Sabres.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to do whatever is best for myself and my family,\u201d Tuch added, per 7 News WKBW. \u201cI don\u2019t know how the talks are going to go and I don\u2019t know the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Tuch was acquired in a trade with Vegas in November of 2021 after signing a seven-year contract as a member of the Golden Knights in October of 2018.<\/p>\n Tuch had 33 goals and 33 assists for 66 points in 79 games for the Sabres this past season, helping Buffalo return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. He was the third-ranked player on TSN\u2019s Top 30 NHL Free Agents list released earlier this month<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kekalainen expanded on Tuesday\u2019s Bowen Byram<\/a> trade, telling reporters the blueliner was not willing to negotiate an extension with the Sabres before the trade to Chicago.<\/p>\n \u201cWe like Bowen Byram<\/a> a lot, wanted to re-sign him,\u201d Kekalainen said, adding he tried to convince him throughout the year to re-sign, but to no avail.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a few deals in front of us we couldn\u2019t pass up,\u201d the GM said.<\/p>\n Byram, along with forward Jordan Greenway<\/a>, were dealt to the Blackhawks<\/a> in exchange for the No. 4 overall pick in this week\u2019s draft as well as a 2026 second-rounder.<\/p>\nKekalainen: Byram wouldn\u2019t sign extension<\/b><\/h2>\n