BUFFALO, N.Y. — Alex Tuch found a home in Buffalo last season, not far from home.

The Syracuse native, who rooted for the Sabres growing up, came back to upstate New York as part of the trade that sent Jack Eichel to Vegas.

After returning from shoulder surgery, Tuch had an immediate impact on and off the ice. Now, he looks to build on his individual and team success with a healthy offseason behind him.

"Not having shoulder surgery in the summer was definitely a positive," Tuch said after practice Monday. "It’s nice to come into camp getting ready for Game 1 instead of instead of trying to come in halfway through the season. Especially getting traded, it was really tough not to be able to jump right into it with the guys. That was probably hardest part of being traded was not being able to go into battle with them Day 1."

Tuch embraced Buffalo right from the start, becoming a fan favorite and a leader with 38 points in 50 games. Head Coach Don Granato sees Tuch’s comfort level in his second season with the Sabres only helping him grow.

"He’s very in tune with that. He’s a sensitive guy and that’s a positive," Granato said. "That’s an attribute that will help him dial in to the next things he could add to this game to continue to reach new levels in his personal career."

"Just trying to be a game-changer each and every night, whether offensively or defensively, trying to give our team a big boost in energy," Tuch said. "Just trying to have some fun out there too. Winning’s fun, so we’re going to try to win as much as possible but we’re also going to keep it light and loose in the locker room, and really try to grow as a group and I’m really excited to be a part of that."

Tuch spent much of last season on the team’s top scoring line with Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner. That changed some toward the end of year, and could continue as the Sabres count on Tuch to elevate the play of himself and his teammates. Granato said the coaching staff is considering playing him along with former Vegas teammate Peyton Krebs, who was also part of the blockbuster Eichel trade.

"Nothing changes personally," Tuch said. "Doesn’t matter who I’m playing with. I always try to play the same way. I feel like I have chemistry with a lot of different guys. I think we have a lot of depth so it makes it easy whenever coach wants to shuffle around the lines, we can do it and play the same way."

It's a mindset that’s made Tuch a key piece of the Sabres' plans in his short time in blue and gold.