Alex Tuch returned to the Buffalo Sabres lineup on Saturday at KeyBank Center after missing three preseason games due to a minor injury. The alternate captain contributed 18 minutes of ice time, notched a primary assist, registered a shot on goal, and delivered two hits. His efforts helped the Sabres secure a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Wings, improving their preseason record to 3-1-0.
“(Felt) pretty good,” Tuch said. “Slower start – first period, felt like I was thinking too much out there. But I just tried to start skating, and I think our whole team played pretty well, so it made it a lot easier on me.”
Head coach Lindy Ruff commented on Tuch’s performance: “I thought he really skated well in the game; he found his game, found his legs. A lot of good stuff. Was great to see him back in. Big part of our power play, big part of our penalty killing, and worked hard for our team to get him back in.”
Tuch stated that with two preseason games remaining against Pittsburgh, he feels nearly ready for the regular season. “This one’s to get the cobwebs out; the next one, start feeling good, and then you should be right in stride,” he said.
He also mentioned changes coming under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement beginning in 2026. The agreement will reduce preseason games to a maximum of four per team and limit veterans like Tuch to two games. He noted that players’ fitness levels allow them to prepare with fewer contests.
Tage Thompson praised Tuch’s return: “He’s a big impact player for us; anytime we have him in the lineup, its big,” Thompson said after scoring two goals and an assist himself. “It’s nice to see him step right in after being out a little bit. Looks like he’s been playing 40 games already, so he’s in great shape.
“He’s a freak of nature.”
The Sabres are focusing on improved team defense this season, an area where Tuch’s skills as a shot blocker and penalty killer are expected to be important. He spoke about defensive adjustments: “I think all of us in here have taken great pride in the defensive side of things,” Tuch said. “It’s something that Lindy has been harping on us a lot: to really take care of the front of the net, take care of the turnovers and play good through the neutral zone. There’s a couple X’s and O’s we changed up to try to make it easier on us, to simplify it and make it a little more black and white. I think it’s been good for our group.”
Buffalo’s top power-play unit played together for the first time this preseason and produced immediate results early in the third period with consistent puck movement leading up to Thompson’s goal.
“We’re moving the puck around with authority, which is opening up things,” Ruff said.
Ruff highlighted that keeping units consistent could benefit special teams throughout the season as players like Thompson, Tuch, Josh Norris, Jason Zucker and Rasmus Dahlin work together.
“I think we’ve gotten a lot of reps in practice,” Tuch said about the power-play group’s prospects for improvement this year. “… I think the communication is really good. I think we have a great gameplan going in, and I think our willingness to just work and try to outwork the penalty kill has been a lot better than it was last year.”
Following Saturday’s game, Buffalo reduced its training camp roster by sending or loaning 24 players to Rochester (AHL). Radim Mrtka was not among those cut; he scored his second goal of preseason by joining an offensive rush against Detroit.
“First was good D zone, and then the ability to get up ice and beat his guy back up ice was a great play,” Ruff said about Mrtka’s performance.” Great pass but great play to realize that he could be an outlet…So heck of a goal for the young D man.”
It remains undecided whether Mrtka will return to Seattle (WHL) or begin his season with Rochester.
Tuch reflected on younger players getting more experience during training camp: “… I think it really helps with the experience. It gets you feeling more comfortable around the room, around the guys. And when he does get ready to make the jump, I think it’ll be a lot easier.”
The Sabres will practice Monday and Tuesday before hosting Pittsburgh Wednesday at home. The upcoming game will air locally on MSG but will not stream online via Sabres.com.
