The Buffalo Sabres have traded forward JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan.
The Mammoth sign pending RFA Peterka to a five-year contract worth $38.5 million, a $7.7 million cap hit.
Bill Armstrong on adding JJ Peterka:#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/bqFy9oR9zt
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 26, 2025
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Thoughts from the media
Cole Bagley: “This Peterka deal is more wizardry by Bill Armstrong. He just acquired a 23 year old scoring winger (68 last season) for Josh Doan (19 points) & Michael Kesselring (29 points). Utah is deep defensively & just got the young offensive upgrade they needed without giving up a pick.”
Dobber Hockey: “JJ Peterka is a step away from stardom. Potential through the roof.
The Sabres get back massive size (6-5) for the second pairing in Kesselring a RHD. And a character guy and middle-six winger in Josh Doan.
I’m starting to wrap my head around the logic. Scoring within the system won’t be a problem. But size and character address needs. And maybe they didn’t want to pay Peterka that much. Still…it’s JJ frickin Peterka!”
Thomas Drance: “Obviously this is a home run for Utah, but I like this for Buffalo. Kesselring is nasty, has real top-four (maybe higher) upside. Doan is a dog. Buffalo is worse tonight than they were, but given the circumstances, they’ve emerged with 2 good complete players with real upside.”
Belle Fraser: “Mammoth fans — I know it is hard seeing players you like get traded but this is a strong move for Utah. Giving two (more so depth) guys for a top-six scoring forward who is 23 and not even close to his full potential with Peterka is big. No prospects, no picks given. Plus, a fair extension in place.”
Mike Harrington: “Byram deal, whenever that comes, has to be for a top-6 forward if you’re dealing Peterka for that return. But I realize this is the #Sabres we’re talking about too.”
JFresh: “Too broad a range of potential outcomes for Peterka to confidently judge here… Kesselring looks to be a solid #4 in the NHL and size + skating + RD is generally pricey. Doan looks like a good third liner. Peterka could be anything from Jakub Vrana to Jordan Kyrou to Phil Kessel”
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Peterka’s 2024-25 microstats. pic.twitter.com/ndPkfPfZGc
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 26, 2025
Josh Doan, acquired by BUF, is a young two-way winger with a high motor and promising passing skills who put up very strong underlying numbers (but few goals) in a fourth line role with Utah last season. #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/rceIboCKM0
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 26, 2025
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