JJ Peterka was traded to the Utah Mammoth by the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan.
Peterka signed a five-year, $38.5 million contract ($7.7 million average annual value) with Utah. He could have become a restricted free agent on July 1 after completing the three-year, entry-level contract he signed with the Sabres on June 11, 2021.
The 23-year-old forward had 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists) in 77 games this season.
“JJ is a highly skilled, creative, young forward with extremely high upside,” Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said. “He will help solidify our scoring and add to what is already a great young core of forwards on the roster. Signing JJ to a long-term extension is another positive step towards building a sustainable contender here in Utah, and today is an exciting day for our entire organization.”
Selected by Buffalo in the second round (No. 34) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Peterka has 150 points (67 goals, 83 assists) in 238 regular-season games.
“There is a lot of excitement and positive momentum surrounding our team right now, and adding a player of JJ Peterka’s caliber and offensive upside is another great step towards achieving our objectives as a group,” Utah president Chris Armstrong said.
Kesselring had 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists) in 82 games for Utah this season. Selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round (No. 164) of the 2018 draft, the 25-year-old has 53 points (12 goals, 41 assists) in 156 regular-season games.
He has one year remaining on the two-year contract he signed with Utah on June 28, 2024.
Doan, the son of former NHL forward Shane Doan, had 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 51 games for Utah this season. Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round (No. 37) of the 2021 draft, the 23-year-old has 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 62 regular-season games.
He has one year remaining on the three-year, entry-level contract he signed on March 16, 2023.
“One of our priorities as we work through this offseason is making our team more competitive and tougher to play against,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said. “The additions of Michael and Josh will help us tremendously in both of those categories and I am excited to see them in a Sabres uniform soon.
“Michael fits the mold of the right-handed defensemen we have been looking for, and we are thrilled he brings both size and compete. We believe he will help add balance to our blue line while elevating the rest of the D corps. Josh is a player that has shown the ability to win at multiple levels and brings great leadership pedigree to our organization. He’s a strong two-way player who we believe will be able to provide versatility to our group.”
