In winger JJ Peterka and defenseman Bowen Byram, the Buffalo Sabres possess two budding stars under 25.
Peterka, 23, is coming off a career-high 68-point season and has recorded 28 and 27 goals, respectively, in each of the last two campaigns.
Meanwhile, in his first full season in Buffalo, Byram, 24, enjoyed a breakout year, scoring 38 points while averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time per outing.
The youngsters, both of whom are due significant raises as restricted free agents, appear to be on the cusp of stardom and possibly on their way out of town.
NHL Draft week has arrived, meaning a critical offseason for the Sabres is about to get busy. The first round takes place Friday night before the final six rounds Saturday.
Free agency opens next Tuesday. Teams have made three trades since the Stanley Cup final ended last Tuesday, so the market has started heating up.
Expect general manager Kevyn Adams, who’s scheduled to talk to the media this morning alongside assistant GM Jerry Forton at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park, where the Sabres will be headquartered for the draft, to be active as he works to reshape a team that finished 14th in the Eastern Conference and plays in the ultra-tough Atlantic Division.
Adams, who took over the Sabres five years ago, is under enormous pressure to end the franchise’s NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.
There’s a belief Peterka wants out. Byram said following the season he wants to sign a new contract with the Sabres.
If the Sabres deal the coveted assets, the return would almost certainly be significant and help them address their biggest needs.
Adding more experience and grit up front and finding a right-shot defenseman to play alongside Owen Power rank at the top of their summer shopping list.
Of course, teams don’t regularly deal players of Peterka and Byram’s caliber about to enter their primes.
Every high-end asset the Sabres have traded in recent years has enjoyed greater personal and team success after leaving Buffalo. Sam Reinhart just won his second consecutive Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. Jack Eichel (2023) and Ryan O’Reilly (2019) also won titles.
At some point, the Sabres might say enough is enough and keep the talent that gives them the best chance of winning. If someone wants a fresh start, well, too bad.
Adams, having selected Peterka 34th in 2020, might feel tied to his most impactful draft choice. While Power and captain Rasmus Dahlin rank ahead of Byram on the blue line, having three of the NHL’s top defenders 25 and under gives the Sabres terrific depth.
They have other trade chips, including Friday’s ninth overall selection.
Almost one year ago, Adams traded center prospect Matt Savoie, the ninth overall pick in 2022, to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for center Ryan McLeod, who paid immediate dividends last season and scored a career-high 20 goals.
Dealing a prospect for an established player illustrated Adams would be operating differently than he had early in his tenure.
While he has never parted with his first-round pick before the draft, the urgency to win could force him to make perhaps his boldest move as GM and trade that ninth selection.
Adams, 50, also has Jarmo Kekalainen, a senior advisor the Sabres hired last month, to offer advice and share ideas. Kekalainen spent 11 years as GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets, helping a franchise that ranked among the NHL’s lightweights make the playoffs six times.
Yes, it’s still Adams’ team. But the respected Kekalainen could certainly impact how he builds the roster.
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The NHL on Monday released its final draft order. The Sabres have 10 selections – ninth, 39th, 71st, 103rd, 116th, 135th, 167th, 195th, 199th and 219th – over the weekend.