The Buffalo Sabres, who currently own the NHL’s longest postseason drought at 14 years and counting, are reportedly shopping forward JJ Peterka. It’s a shift for the Sabres, who reportedly weren’t interested in trading Peterka before changing their minds. Additionally, the Sabres are gauging the market on defensemen Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson.
Time is ticking for the Sabres to avoid falling into complete irrelevance in the Buffalo sports scene, playing in the shadow of the Super Bowl-contending Buffalo Bills of the NFL.
Multiple Teams Are Reportedly Interested in Acquiring JJ Peterka From the Sabres
Journalist David Pagnotta, an insider with the Fourth Period, has reported that multiple teams are going to pursue Peterka from the Sabres: the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning.
“According to multiple sources, the Sabres are hesitant to move Peterka but continue to explore options. The Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning are just a handful of teams that have reached out about his availability,” he wrote.
Pagnotta then wrote that Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams isn’t interested in receiving draft picks and prospects in return for Peterka/Byram. He will request a top-six forward in return; essentially, a player who can help the Sabres right now rather than years down the road.
“Adams is not interested in moving Peterka or Byram for future assets, and any moves he completes involving any of his key pieces will result in immediate help and NHL talent coming to Buffalo. The Sabres are looking to add two top-six forwards this offseason, with a No. 2 center believed to be atop their wish list.”
The Canucks, after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs and who are expected to lose forward Brock Boeser in free agency, could be an intriguing destination for Peterka to try and fill that void that Boeser will be leaving behind.
As far as the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets are concerned, neither team made the postseason in their own right and are looking for roster upgrades that can help push them toward an appearance in the playoffs again.
The Lightning, who play in the same division as the Sabres, are still feeling the sting of a second consecutive opening-round loss in the postseason to the Florida Panthers and want to go on another lengthy run while team captain Victor Hedman is still playing at a high level.
