Sabres Chase Trocheck to Sustain Rise

**Corey** (0:00)
It's June 17th. You're listening to New York Rangers News Today, AI-powered coverage of your team. I'm Corey with the story. The Buffalo Sabres are looking to build on a surprisingly strong season that saw them make the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. They had a rough start to the season, even changing general managers in December. But after that shakeup, they went on an incredible run, putting together some of the best hockey the league has seen in 30 years.
They even managed to win their division and take down rivals like the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs. Their playoff run eventually ended in a heartbreaking game 7 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Still, it was a massive step forward for a franchise that had been the laughing stock of the league for years.
The new general manager has a big job ahead to make sure this success isn't just a one-off, but the start of something sustainable. A major question mark for the team right now is the future of forward Alex Tuch, who is a free agent. If he leaves, it would be a huge blow to their offense.
This is where a player like Vincent Trocheck from the New York Rangers could become a key target. Trocheck, who will turn 33 in July, is still a strong player who can contribute at a high level. He's proven his worth with the Rangers and on the international stage. He's also signed through 2029 with a salary cap hit that's significantly less than what Tuch is reportedly looking for. To acquire Trocheck, the Sabres might need to offer up some promising prospects. Goaltender Devon Levi, who's looking for more ice time, could be an option for the Rangers, who are set to lose their backup goalie. They might also consider a young forward prospect like Brodie Ziemer. It's looking likely that Tuch will depart, and Trocheck could be the perfect fit to keep the Sabres on their upward path.