Utah Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong crafted some nifty handiwork this week. On Wednesday, Utah acquired 23-year-old winger JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. No draft pick assets or prospects changed hands in the transaction. Immediately at the trade, Peterka preempted his impending restricted free agency. The German forward signed a five-year contract with Utah.
Peterka is coming off back-to-back strong seasons on otherwise struggling Buffalo teams (28 goals and 50 points in 2023-24, 27 goals and 68 points in 77 games this season). Reports leaked that Peterka wanted out of Buffalo. Consequently, the Sabres lost leverage despite general manager Kevyn Adams staying mum on the statutes of both Peterka and defenseman Bowen Byram.
The Sabres had to salvage what they could before Peterka either signed an offer sheet or publicly demanded a trade (although, again, his desire to leave leaked to the press). They got two young players in return from the Mammoth.
The NHL hasn’t quite gone back to the mid-1990s when most smaller defensemen could hardly get a chance to play. Nevertheless, big-framed defensemen are very much back in vogue. The 6-foot-5, 215 pound Kesselring fits that profile. The 25-year-old had a good 2024-25 season as Utah’s No. 4 or 5 defenseman. He dressed in all 82 games, chipped in 29 points and brought a competitive brand of hockey. His acquisition by the Sabres all but confirms the trade availability of the similar-sized Mattias Samuelsson.
Doan, 23, has some promise as an NHL winger. He’s been productive at the American Hockey League level and showed hints of eventually becoming a bankable top-nine NHL forward. He, too, has pretty good size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and brings a positive presence to a locker room,
However, overall, this is a lopsided trade in Utah’s favor. Peterka hasn’t yet maxed out his potential and he’s already really good. His first 30-goal, 70-plus point season is very much in reach perhaps as soon as next season. Armstrong gave up no assets. While Kesselring and Doan are respectable young NHL players, neither is of Peterka’s calber at their respective positions.
