Annual expectations thread 2023/24: #77 JJ Peterka

[dudacek]

Did anybody notice that JJ Peterka went through a 22-game stretch between Dec. 31 and Feb.26 where he managed zero goals and just 2 assists? It largely flew under the radar as it happened while the team was on a 14-7-2 run that seemingly put them firmly into the playoff race. When most people think of Peterka’s rookie year, they think more about a handful of highlight-reel connections with Cozens and Quinn, the overall production that was the 7th-most by a U21 Sabre in 20 years, and a stellar World Championship where he had 12 points in 10 games and was named the tournament’s best forward.

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=226507

Don Granato put up with a lot of inconsistency from Peterka last year that might not be on the menu in year two with winning taking precedence over development. While he was nominally the left wing on the team’s 2nd line, JJ ranked 10th in ice time among team forwards. An opportunity exists for much more — consider the void left by the Jack Quinn injury and the open question as to who is the team’s #3 winger — but one suspects it won’t be handed to him. The -15 sticks out, but he was a relatively neutral possession player 5-on-5, while being only moderately sheltered. Peterka has finished each of his past two seasons on a high note on prominent hockey stages and has demonstrated real growth every year since being drafted.

What do you expect from Peterka this year?
(Last year’s takes here)

 

 

Edited August 30, 2023 by dudacek

[Eleven]

40-45 points.

[Doohickie]

He's gonna have a breakout year like Quinn did last year.

[GASabresIUFAN]

Breakout star.  I’m thinking a 50 pt season.

[Pimlach]

I think he gets better.  16 goals and 30 apples with better and stronger play than last season.  

[French Collection]

The kid is good and will only improve at this stage of his development. The MVP at the World Championships will be a big confidence boost. Not a Cozens’ sized jump but improvement in all aspects of his game.

[Zamboni]

Yea, JJ will be a 35 - 45 point player this season. Looking forward to seeing his development this season 

[LGR4GM]

20g, 35a and better defensively for JJP

[nfreeman]

I'm pretty optimistic about JJP.  I think he'll cement his spot with Cozens (and probably Mitts) on the 2nd line, increase his average ice time from 13:39 to about 15:30 (which would've been 6th on the team among forwards last year), improve his all-around game and increase his scoing production from 12-20-32 last year to something like 18-28-46.

[mjd1001]

Slightly better overall than last year.  High teens for goals, 40 points or a bit more. Stretches where he starts to show even more than that.  His overall stats, however, will depend on his usage. If he gets more ice time and more PP time, he could get into the 20's for goals.

[Mustache of God]

I think we'll see more consistency to his game with less roughness around the edges. I'm not expecting a "breakthrough" year, that comes in one more season.  

[Taro T]

Expecting him to get mostly the same usage (at least until Quinn is healthy and back to game shape) on the 2nd line and 2nd PP with getting shorted ice time in the 3rd of games they're protecting a lead; so with no increase in responsibility.  But do expect to see him nuzzling just above the 50 point plateau.

So, didn't vote because it's a pretty fair split between option 2 and option 3.

[dudacek]

He's such a likable kid, he's got great tools and he competes.

I wouldn't say I expect him to take a leap, but his history and his circumstance make it seem more likely than not.

Edited August 31, 2023 by dudacek

[FrenchConnection44]

This is impressive. Good work! 

 

 

[K-9]

Like Cozens last year, JJ will ride the momentum of his great World Championship performance and have a breakout year. 

[Getpucksdeep]

🦄 here for it but feel like it's another year out 

[Randall Flagg]

73 points for JJP

[bob_sauve28]

He will be ok on first part of the season. Then Quinn returns and they will really take off with Cozens 

[elijah]

Better overall but not a ton more point production, 15g-22a-37p

[Pimlach]

On 8/29/2023 at 11:46 PM, Pimlach said:

I think he gets better.  16 goals and 30 apples with better and stronger play than last season.  

I want to add that he is going to be a steady 20-25 goal guy at some point in his career. 

[thewookie1]

Peterka still strikes me as a 40-50pt 2nd/3rd line tweener who plays a solid overall game and then gains a gear in the playoffs. Since that is literally what he did in Rochester.

Edited September 3, 2023 by thewookie1

[TheAud]

12 hours ago, thewookie1 said:

Peterka still strikes me as a 40-50pt 2nd/3rd line tweener who plays a solid overall game and then gains a gear in the playoffs. Since that is literally what he did in Rochester.

He had 68 points in 70 games in Rochester during the regular season. Given how relatively slowly he started, by the back half of that season he was one of the higher scorers in the AHL. Then had 12 points in 10 playoff games. 
 

That said, I think your expectation for him is reasonable but I’d call it his floor. 60-70 points is also possible. 

[...]

With Quinn out, the pressure is definitely on Peterka to generate numbers. He needs to demonstrate that he doesn't need Quinn to be productive; to create his own identity rather than being reliant on Quinn and Cozens. His history suggests that he is up to the task.

[JohnC]

https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/hosts/sabres-live

The attached link is a 12 minute segment on WGR, Sabre LIve, discussing JJ Peterka and what he has to do to get more playing time. The gist of the commentary was that JJ had to improve on his defense and puck retrieval. His play on defense and puck retrieval was compared to Quinn who had good stats in this category, and so did Mitts. Skinner's stats in this category were not so good. 

There was a comment made by Marty B that struck me when he pointed out that if the Sabres even incrementally improve on their defensive and retrieval stat numbers this team should be better. 

[JustOneParade]

This is why I believe, when he's ready, Benson will replace JJP on that 2nd line and JJP will be the 3rd line winger (along with Kulich) centered by Mitts or Krebs.