Buffalo’s 2025-26 season turned the franchise from a decade‑long playoff drought into a first‑round victory,but the success has left a tight salary‑cap picture. With only $12.9 million projected for the upcoming summer, the Sabres must decide whether to keep forward Alex Tuch and which net‑minder to move.

Alex Tuch’s pending free agency tests Sabres’ cap flexibility

Alex Tuch is set to hit unrestricted free agency this July, and his contract demands could force Buffalo to make a difficult choice. as the report notes, extending Tuch is a “roster decision” that could consume a sizable portion of the $12.9 million cap space the team has projected.

Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen’s $4.75 M deal looms as a trade lever

Luukkonen , under contract through the 2028‑29 season at $4.75 million per year, is the most expensive goaltender on the books. according to the souurce, moving him could free a chunk of cap space, but it would also mean parting with a young net‑minder who helped the Sabres reach the playoffs.

Alex Lyon remains a cheaper, but uncertain, alternative

Alex Lyon’s salary is lower than Luukkonen’s, yet his performance has been inconsistent. the article cites Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton discussing whether a trade involving either goalie would improve Buffalo’s “consistency goaltending in the Atlantic Division.”

Peyton Krebs and Jack Quinn’s future hangs in the balance

Both forward Peyton Krebs and defenseman Jack Quinn are expected to start opening day, but their long‑term roles are still under review. The source suggests that the Sabres’ cap crunch could force tough decisions on these younger assets as well.

Who will the Sabres trade to unlock $12.9 M?

The most pressing unanswered question is which, if any,goaltender the Sabres will move to create the needed space. The report does not confirm any trade talks, leaving fans to wonder whether Buffalo will gamble on a goalie deal or absorb the cost and risk future cap penalties.