Doan Delivers For The Sabres 

When the Buffalo Sabres moved winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth on June 26th, 2025, the key component of the trade on the Buffalo side was viewed as defenseman Michael Kesselring. 

Peterka had become unhappy in Buffalo, even though the scoring forward was still under contract; the Sabres were in search of a deal that would bring value back.

While Kesselring was a strong defensive addition, the question of how the team would replace Peterka’s goal production loomed large. Peterka tallied twenty-eight goals in 23-24 and twenty-seven goals in 24-25 and was a key component in Buffalo’s offense. 

While the Sabres were once again in the position of moving a talented forward, in this trade, they did obtain significant value in return. Kesselring’s season has been plagued by injuries, which have kept him out of the lineup for extended periods, but he will be a solid blueline performer going forward.

As the season has progressed, winger Josh Doan has emerged as the most valuable piece of the deal to this point. 

In a season where the organization is looking to remain in the playoff chase and end an unprecedented 14-year postseason drought, they are getting consistent, strong two-way play throughout the lineup in a run of points gained in sixteen of their last eighteen contests. 

The 23-year-old native of Scottsdale, Arizona, has the biggest surprise among the  Sabres forward ranks. Doan provides tenacious two-way play and also delivers in the offensive zone. 

In forty-seven games played this season, the talented young winger has scored fifteen goals and added nineteen assists. 

Peterka, who possesses a more one-dimensional skill set as a goal scorer, has netted sixteen goals in forty-eight games played for Utah. 

Doan’s ability to contribute in all areas of the ice has been a key component in Buffalo’s turnaround, with a ten-game winning streak which began on December 9th with an overtime road win at Edmonton. 

As the Sabres playoff push continues into the second half of the season, they will need the gritty net front play of Josh Doan to reach their goal. 

Follow Dave on X @DaveNHL, on Facebook at [email protected], and on [email protected]