NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 25, 2026
Reaction to the Sabres sending Alex Tuch to the Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal, the Sabres re-sign Zach Benson, the Avalanche trade Jack Drury to the Predators, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT/THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Sabres shipped winger Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday as part of a sign-and-trade deal. In return, they receive a 2027 third-round pick and the rights to pending free-agent center David Kampf.
Buffalo Sabres trade winger Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals (NHL Images)
Before sending Tuch to the Capitals, the Sabres signed the 30-year-old power forward to an eight-year, $84-million contract. The average annual value is $10.5 million, with a full no-movement clause in the first four seasons, dropping to a modified no-trade list for the final four seasons.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the second major move by both teams this week. On Tuesday, the Sabres shipped defenseman Bowen Byram and winger Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks, while the Capitals acquired winger Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues.
The Sabres reportedly pitched a final offer of seven years at just under $10 million, but they weren’t comfortable with what he was seeking. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen was concerned that it could force them to move out other players to make the dollars fit within their salary cap payroll.
Kekalainen said his club would consider all options to replace Tuch, who played a key role in the Sabres’ ending their 14-year playoff drought this season. They have the draft capital to use as trade bait, including the fourth-overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, which they received from Chicago in the Byram deal.
The additions of Tuch and Kyrou bring significant right-wing scoring punch to the Capitals, who are attempting to bounce back from missing the playoffs this season. They might not be done making moves, as they could consider adding another scoring forward and another penalty killer.
These moves also raise questions about Alex Ovechkin’s future with the Capitals. The 40-year-old winger has completed his contract, raising speculation that he’s planning to retire. Bringing in Tuch and Kyrou could be seen as an enticement for Ovechkin to return for another season, or it could be the Capitals’ preparation to offset the loss of his offense if he doesn’t return.
BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres signed winger Zach Benson to a seven-year contract worth an AAV of $7.5 million. He has a modified no-trade clause (a seven-team no-trade list) for the final three years of the deal.
Benson, 21, had completed his entry-level contract. He’s coming off a breakout performance in his third NHL campaign, with 43 points in 65 regular-season games, and nine points in 13 playoff contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benson stepped up this season as a pesky, two-way forward. He was a spark plug for the Sabres, pumping up his teammates with his clutch scoring and energetic play. If that sounds familiar, it’s because his style of play is comparable to Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers. Benson could become an important core player for the Sabres in the next several years.
THE TENNESSEAN/COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Nashville Predators acquired center Jack Drury, prospect forward Chase Bradley, and a third-round pick in 2029 from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forwards Zach L’Heureux and Fedor Svechkov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the second trade in as many weeks that Predators GM Chris MacFarland has made with his former team, having acquired forward Ross Colton last week.
This is a move involving role players who weren’t working out with their former clubs. L’Heureux and Svechkov were former first-round picks with the Predators, while Drury was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes last season as part of the Mikko Rantanen trade.
Drury’s RFA status likely played a part in this deal. The Avalanche have limited cap space for next season, and re-signing the 26-year-old center probably would’ve cost more than they could comfortably afford.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher will be named an honorary citizen of the city of Montreal. This honor is bestowed on someone “who has a lasting impact on the well-being of Montrealers through their actions, art, and commitment.”
The 34-year-old Gallagher has spent his entire 14-season NHL career with the Canadiens, but he’s expected to be traded this summer. His agent has permission to speak with other teams to facilitate a trade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gallagher’s pesky, hard-working style made him a fan favorite throughout his tenure with the Canadiens.
Hate the Capitals.
Love their lineup.
Top 9 will be hard to contain. Their D is good at transporting and moving the puck.
Rangers fan here and cannot see how Drury thinks he can compete next season with the Canes,Caps, Panthers,Sabres etc…… Igor will have the next coming……
ds. I’d rather Caps made that Tuch deal and not NYR. Always thought Kyrou would’ve been a good fit here. I think Caps gave up a lot too. McMichael is a speedy guy that will do well in St Louis. Still 3 months until season starts and who knows what moves are yet to be made.
oh I am ok not giving Tuch that contract.
I just cant see how Drury adds 2 top 6 forwards and a 2way 2nd pair left Defenseman.
without giving up an important roster piece….
do you think this team is close to competing?
Id be ok moving out Mika and Fox(and trocheck) to be good in 2 seasons from now.
Good on the Capitals for being proactive in improving their roster but Tuch is not worth $10.5 mil. I understand he would have gotten that anywhere but I feel like thay contract is going to hurt Washington further down the road.
79pts in 22-23 and he’s been slowly declining since then.
It would not surprise me to hear that Ovechkin has informed management that he’s done.
Assuming Tuch ($10.5 mil) goes to RW on the 1st line, and Kyrou ($8,125,000) to RW n the 2nd line, it looks like they’ll have a $6,540,000 3rd line RW in the form of Tom Wilson.
I think that this may signal that Ovie is open to return and the Caps want to load up for a run.
I loved the Kyrou deal for the Caps. Not the Tuch deal, they will regret it sooner than later. He’s a solid winger but nowhere near great. One season over 67 points. Nowhere near worth $10.5m. and will be 38 when deal ends,
Caps have Wilson, Tuck, Kyrou all on the right side. Are they moving one of them to LW or will they have a highly paid winger on the 3rd line?
are they anticipating that Ovechkin will retire (go play in the KHL) ?
Looks like we’re thinking along the same lines, mikep.
On their LW the projections are
Aleksei Protas – 25g 27a 52pts 76gp – $3,375,000
Leonard – 20g 25a 45pts 75go – $950,000
Beauvillier – 15g 13a 28pts 82gp – $2,750,000
Lapierre – 4g 8a 12pts 74gp – an RFA coming off a cap hit of $850,000
If they do move one of the RW to the left side there may be another trade in the making.
Larkin and Sandine-Pelikka for Faber and Yurov