Buffalo Sabers Agree To Trade JJ Peterka To Utah

Buffalo Sabers Agree To Trade JJ Peterka To Utah

It turns out all the buzz wasn’t for nothing. After months of having his name in trade rumors, JJ Peterka is being shipped from the Buffalo Sabers to the Utah Mammoth. The NHL’s newest franchise is already making waves, acquiring the 22-year-old winger who posted 28 goals and 55 total points this season. In return, the Mammoth are sending Buffalo Michael Kesserling and Josh Doan. Elliotte Friedman was first with the trade details.

Hearing the JJ Peterka deal to Utah is for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan.

Three players, no picks.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 26, 2025

On paper, this is a really big swing for Utah, and I would argue a very good trade for them. As they enter their inaugural season, they now have a franchise guy without having to give up any draft capital whatsoever to get it done. That should be viewed as a massive win. JJ Peterka will immediately slide into Utah’s top six, and I would venture a guess that he will head up their power-play line.

For Buffalo, while I feel like they left some meat on the bone here, they didn’t doo terribly. Michael Kesserling, a 25-year-old defenseman, produced decently well, posting 29 points this season (7 G, 22 A), is an active backline player who has good vision with room to grow. With Josh Doan, you’re really banking on potential. The 23-year-old former second-rounder hasn’t made a massive impact in the NHL during his two seasons (28 points in 62 games), but you can see the upside.

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I think this is a very good trade for Utah, and leaves you scratching your head if you are Buffalo. Utah not sacrificing any draft picks to get a potential franchise guy has to be seen as a win. JJ Peterka is a very nice building block if he can continue to develop and find consistency in his game.

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