You better get used to watching Alex Tuch, because he’s going to be in Vegas for a long time.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Golden Knights have signed Tuch to a seven-year contract extension with an average annual value of $4.75 million, keeping him in Vegas through the 2025-26 season. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun confirms that Tuch will earn a flat $4.75 million salary each year. Tuch will not receive any signing bonuses as part of the deal, but will have a five-team no trade clause that goes into effect in five years.
Tuch was set to become a restricted free agent after the season, but by signing the Syracuse native now, the Golden Knights avoid putting themselves in a situation similar to what they went through with defenseman Shea Theodore this past summer.
Moreover, Tuch’s new deal isn’t unlike the contract Theodore was awarded back in September. Theodore, 23, was also given a seven-year deal, but with a slightly higher AAV ($5.2 million) than what Tuch has agreed to. In essence, the Golden Knights are opting to lock up their top young stars long-term with the expectation that their value will eventually be far higher than what it is currently.
While Tuch has yet to make his season debut due to a lower-body ailment, the 22-year-old put together an impressive rookie campaign last season, accumulating 15 goals and 37 points (10 of which coming on the man advantage) in 78 games.