Sabres winger JJ Peterka was one of the more intriguing names in trade rumors leading up to Friday’s deadline. Despite another disappointing season for Buffalo, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported that Peterka, a pending restricted free agent, was drawing interest from teams, including the Rangers, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
However, Peterka remained with the Sabres, and general manager Kevyn Adams made it clear that trading him was never in consideration. While Adams was active during the deadline, extending Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker and swapping Dylan Cozens for Joshua Norris, he told Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald that there was no truth to the rumors about moving Peterka. Adams emphasized Peterka’s importance to the team and indicated they would meet with his agent after the season to discuss his future.
Peterka, a 2020 second-round pick, has developed into a core player for Buffalo. He’s on pace for a 26-goal, 70-point season, having already set a new career-high with 51 points in 60 games. His top-line role and strong performance at even strength make him a key piece for the Sabres moving forward. Peterka has also been one of Buffalo’s best possession players, controlling 52.4% of shot attempts at even strength, and his shooting percentage of 14.1% suggests his production is sustainable.
With Peterka’s value clear, the Sabres may look to sign him to a long-term deal to avoid any future contract disputes. AFP Analytics projects a potential six-year deal worth over $6.5 million annually. Peterka’s continued growth is crucial as Buffalo seeks to move out of rebuild mode and return to playoff contention.
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