The Buffalo Sabres have finally made a big trade and it is reported of a restricted free agent to the Utah Mammoth. The developing goal-scorer JJ Peterka couldn’t decide to stick around, as he is traded to a new club. In return, the Sabres land Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan. Just what does this mean for the organization and what will Peterka mean to Utah and the new Sabres mean to their new club?
Hearing the JJ Peterka deal to Utah is for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan.
Three players, no picks.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 26, 2025
Breaking: Sources say #Sabres have agreed in principle to trade forward JJ Peterka to @utahmammoth. BUT there is apparently a contingency holding up deal.
If completed, and still a big if, would be a big get for #TusksUp adding another 23-year-old top line forward to the mix.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 26, 2025
Peterka Involved in Trade to Mammoth
We will note, that as of publication, there is a hold up in the deal. Therefore, it is still not finalized. However, given the magnitude, it is tough to deny the possibly.
Peterka was originally drafted in the same 2020 NHL Entry Draft that fellow German Tim Stutzle went third overall. Moreover, Peterka went 34th overall to the team from Western New York. Since that time, he’s done a fine job of growing into the role of offensive threat.
Furthermore, as we hear of the trade, Peterka has played three full NHL seasons. In each of those seasons, he’s made progressive strides. For example, in 2022-23, he had 12 goals and 20 assists in just over 13-and-a-half minutes of ice time. The following season, he jumped up to nearly 16-and-a-half minutes a night. Furthermore, his point production aligned with the extra ice time. He ended up with 28 goals and 22 assists. Fast-forward to this most recent campaign, and he rewarded the Sabres with his extra opportunity. He was over 18 minutes a game and received plenty of power play time. He tallied 18 points on the man advantage and overall wasn’t far off a point-per-game type player. With 68 points in 77 games, he’s proven to be a reliable point producer in the NHL.
What His Signing Brings to the Lineup
By trading for Peterka, it shows that you are serious at identifying key talent and believing in it. He’s more than shown to be a consistent point producer, so is a great piece for your top-six forward group. If he continues to develop, he can be a scoring threat in the world’s top league for years to come. Whether from a team perspective or as the individual, this trade just seems like it is win-win.
What is Buffalo Getting in Return?
Kesselring and Doan are solid return for Buffalo. To start with Kesselring, he is a big, mobile right-shot defenceman. He will work well with a team with the likes of Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Bowen Byram on the left side. Furthermore, Kesslering got power play time last year and really established himself. The 6’5″ defender had seven goals and 22 assists for 29 points in 82 games, in 17:41 of average ice time. Meanwhile, Doan had seven goals and 12 assists in his first full NHL campaign, appearing in 51 contests. He could be an underrated part of this deal for Buffalo.
Main Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
