In trading winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth, the Buffalo Sabres created a big, possibly temporary, hole in their lineup.
Michael Kesserling, the top asset the Sabres received in exchange for Peterka, fills their need for a right-shot defenseman. Winger Josh Doan, the other player acquired early Thursday morning, will likely be utilized on the third or fourth line.
Suddenly, the Sabres need a top-six forward to replace Peterka, who scored 27 goals and a career-high 68 points in 77 games last season.
Another trade could materialize soon as the Sabres try to revamp their roster following a disappointing 79-point finish last season. Defenseman Bowen Byram and the ninth overall pick in tonight’s NHL Draft are likely being dangled.
After using every first-round pick in his first five drafts, Adams feels comfortable trading it this year.
“But I don’t think you want to go into it saying, ‘Hey, I’m just moving this pick, no matter what,’” Adams said. “These are valuable picks, but you’re open to everything. And trust me, the league knows that I’m absolutely open to moving pick nine if it’s the right deal for us.”
It felt like only a matter of when, not if, the Sabres dealt Peterka, whose name kept popping up in trade rumors. When asked Tuesday if the German had requested a trade, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams refused to say yes or no.
Clearly, Peterka, 23, wanted out of Buffalo. He’s the latest talented young forward the Sabres have shipped out of town, joining Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart.
After the Sabres selected Peterka in the second round in 2020, 34th overall, he morphed into Adams’ most impactful draft pick.
Now, as he enters his prime, he will be playing somewhere else.
Peterka, a pending restricted free agent, signed a five-year, $38.5 million contract extension with Utah as part of the deal.
What about the return?
In the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Kesselring the Sabres might have the right-shot defender they want to play alongside captain Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power.
In his first full NHL season in 2024-25, Kesselring, 25, compiled seven goals, 29 points, 89 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating in 82 games.
The American has registered 12 goals, 53 points, 161 penalty minutes and a plus-14 rating in 156 career NHL games.
The Edmonton Oilers drafted him in the sixth round in 2018, 164th overall.
Doan, 23, spent last season with Utah and the Tuscon Roadrunners, its AHL affiliate, compiling seven goals, 19 points, eight penalty minutes and a minus-2 rating in 51 games with Utah.
The 6-foot-2, 189-pound Doan has registered 12 goals, 26 points, eight penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating in 62 career NHL games.
The Arizona Coyotes drafted him in the second round in 2021, 37th overall.
The American is the son of former Coyotes captain Shane Doan.
Check back for more on this developing story.