Rangers’ Scoring Woes Continue
It has been clear all season that offense has been a major issue for the New York Rangers. In 15 of their 43 games so far, they have been held to two goals or fewer, meaning more than one third of their schedule has featured limited scoring output. As a team, the Rangers are averaging just 2.60 goals per game, the second-lowest rate in the NHL. That lack of production has played a significant role in why they currently sit outside the playoff picture.
Given those struggles, President and General Manager Chris Drury has been exploring options beyond the organization, searching for a forward who could help jump-start the attack.
Rangers are a “sneaky good fit” for Tuch
One name that has surfaced in trade speculation is Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch. According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, if Tuch were to become available, the Rangers would make a lot of sense as a potential landing spot.
On the surface, adding Tuch appears appealing. However, despite the fit, it may actually be in the Rangers’ best interest to stay away from such a move.
Trading for Alex Tuch mid-season would be a mistake
There is no question that Tuch is a high-end player. Through 39 games this season, he has posted 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points, ranking second on the Sabres in goals, assists, and total points. His underlying numbers also paint a strong picture. Per Natural Stat Trick, Tuch owns a 52.21 CF%, a 54.17 xG%, and a 53.01 SCF%, all indicators of a player who consistently drives offense. He would undoubtedly represent an upgrade over several current Rangers forwards.
Still, even with Tuch in the lineup, it is hard to see him being enough to push the Rangers into the playoffs. Although they are only three points out of a playoff spot, they would need to leapfrog seven teams to get there. That task becomes even more daunting considering clubs like the Bruins, Panthers, and Maple Leafs are all ahead of them and widely expected to rebound as the season goes on.
Another concern is Tuch’s contract situation. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and is projected to command a deal worth around ten million dollars per year. While the Rangers technically have the cap space, they must also make a decision on Artemi Panarin. Committing that level of money to both players would consume nearly all of their available cap room and severely limit future roster improvements. Letting Tuch walk, on the other hand, would mean sacrificing valuable assets for a short-term rental.
There is also history between the Rangers and Sabres to consider. The two teams previously engaged in lengthy discussions over Jack Eichel in 2021, negotiations that ultimately fell apart amid reports Buffalo ownership wanted New York to significantly overpay. Even though this is a different situation, it raises the possibility that acquiring Tuch would again require an inflated price.
In the end, while Alex Tuch would help boost the Rangers’ offense, the risks outweigh the potential rewards. Trading away meaningful assets for a slim chance at sneaking into a wild-card spot is a gamble that may not be worth taking.