Sabres Trade JJ Peterka to Utah for Defenseman Michael Kesselring and Forward Josh Doan

[K012010]

This is one of those trades where Kevyn has to just sit there and take it from everybody deservedly so. 

But this is a great trade for us in my opinion. It’s time we build a ***** team that plays like a team instead of having a bunch of young talent/potential floating around acting like they don’t have to play two way hockey.

I’ve watched Florida closely over the last few seasons as most of us have and a guy like JJ is nowhere near their starting lineup. He doesn’t want to be a true NHL hockey player. He just wants to score goals and make plays. 

I’m telling you all that I’ve watched JJ very closely because I’ve had a bug up my ass about him for years and he is the laziest most entitled player I’ve seen at his age especially. 

[Carmel Corn]

4 minutes ago, K012010 said:

Get Quinn tf off this team also. Another liability as a two-way player and the guy looks like ***** Bambi now. Can’t stay on his feet.

Another soft first rounder that can’t come close to living up to the expectations. Sell him on his high offensive potential just like JJ.

The only cup Sabres are ever gonna win

jk…

I think Quinn was a complete failure it multiple ways last season.  He will also never be a guy you want in your foxhole if a scrum ensues on the ice.  That said, I think he has more hockey IQ than JJP and that the organization is counting on him for more goals (to make up for JJP's departure).  I sure as hell don't know what to expect from him next season, but I do expect to see him on the roster.  In GMKA's mind, Quinn's price tag will still be cheap enough.

[dudacek]

From the Athletic:

Shayna Goldman: Peterka’s stock was already high after he scored 28 goals in 2023-24, and then he added another dimension with dangerous passing this season. While he has defensive flaws, the demand was always going to be there for a 23-year-old under cost control for another four seasons — especially now, with few top-six wingers set to hit the free agent market and a lot of teams looking for offensive upgrades.

Peterka should be a great fit in a top-six of rising stars in Utah. Between Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley and now Peterka, the present and the future are bright for the Mammoth. The price of acquisition checks out, too. Utah had a surplus of defensemen, and that made Kesselring expandable. As sentimental as it is to have a Doan in the organization, the reality is that Peterka is the more ready top-six contributor. Plus, Utah still has a deep pipeline to pull from.

The $7.7 million contract extension for Peterka is slightly above his market value. But if he can keep growing offensively and work on his play away from the puck, this deal should age just fine.

As for the Sabres, Kesselring is an ideal fit who addresses a major need on the right side of the blue line. He showed the chops to play a top-four role in Utah when the team was dealing with key injuries. His zone-entry defense was solid, along with with his puck-moving ability. That should add more two-way stability to Owen Power’s right and solidify the second pair — if his skill translates in Buffalo.

Some of Kesselring’s top comps, Marcus Pettersson and Matt Niskanen, show a promising future in the top-four. But there are dicier paths that he could take, such as those of Kyle Quincey and Carson Soucy. It’s all about whether the Sabres can channel the best of his abilities.

Doan is the more surprising player involved in this trade. The 23-year-old looks ready to be an NHL regular and has real middle-six potential. But the real question is whether this is enough of a return for Peterka, especially in this market.

This probably would be viewed differently if the Sabres were a team crushed for cap space, looking for under-the-radar additions. Then maybe it would be more of a home run, because together, Doan and Kesselring take up only $2.5 million in cap space next season.

The Sabres have cap flexibility and need difference-makers, and management has to be willing to swing for that. Peterka was becoming that, and maybe both Kesselring and Doan will be, too. The on-ice value and potential is there, but if this team wants to actually progress, it has to show more of a willingness to invest in star talent.

Mammoth grade: A-
Sabres grade: B

[...]

Does Doan make Krebs expendable? 🤔

[dudacek]

Another from the Athletic:

James Mirtle: The Mammoth have been rumored to be in on almost everything since the draft combine, and GM Bill Armstrong nabbed the top young player on most trade boards with an aggressive bid here.

Utah wins the deal in terms of upside, as Peterka was the fifth-youngest player in the NHL to clear 25 goals and 65 points this season. He’s a strong passer, is excellent one-on-one and is deceptively strong for his 189 pounds.

He still has a ways to go defensively, but he turned just 23 in January and he was playing on a struggling team. Peterka was also unhappy in Buffalo and wanted out, which somewhat forced Buffalo’s hand here.

If he figures out his two-way game, he’ll be a star alongside Utah’s other up-and-coming young forwards.

The Sabres do fill a big need in a right-shot defenseman with size and some defensive acumen, and Kesselring’s rise from sixth-round pick to top-four blueliner has been rather meteoric since coming over from Edmonton. Doan, meanwhile, is only a month younger than Peterka and has yet to stick full-time in the NHL, but he has a solid power-forward/two-way game that should allow him to eventually be a top-six forward in a Shane Doan Lite kind of way.

Unless Doan’s development greatly accelerates, however, the return is somewhat underwhelming for Buffalo given Peterka’s offensive output the past two seasons. The Sabres do clear up considerable cap space, given that the two players they added make $2.3 million combined, which should allow them to be more active. Winning a Bowen Byram trade becomes vital now, however.

Mammoth grade: A-
Sabres grade: C+

[darksabre]

26 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

What happens if Doan gives us a 15g 25a season and Peterka puts up a 25g, 25a season?

If that helps the Sabres avoid a 10+ game losing streak then we'll be more than happy with it.

[dudacek]

And a third:

Harman Dayal: Peterka is a speedy, dynamic winger with star potential. He’s an exciting addition to a Utah lineup that features some talented youngsters, but that needed another true difference-maker after ranking 21st in the league in goals this season.

Peterka has steadily increased his offensive production every year since entering the NHL. He scored 32 points in 72 games as a rookie, broke out with 28 goals and 50 points as a sophomore in 2023-24, and hit a career-high 68 points this season. He boasts a wicked shot that can beat goalies clean from a distance and is above average at driving controlled zone entries and rush chances.

Peterka has scored 2.25 points per 60 at five-on-five over the last two seasons, which ranks 19th among all NHL wingers (minimum 1,000 minutes). He’s especially deadly attacking in transition, which should complement some of the Mammoth’s other dynamic creators, such as Keller and Cooley, stylistically.

There are a couple of question marks, though. Peterka has defensive flaws he needs to iron out. Peterka was on the ice for 3.04 expected goals against per 60 and 3.35 actual goals against per 60, which was by far the worst among all Buffalo forwards this past season. It’s worth noting that his defensive numbers weren’t nearly as bad in 2023-24, but that does detract from his overall value.

Also, Peterka’s line had the highest five-on-five shooting percentage in the NHL this season (14.3 percent). There’s a good chance that number will regress next season, which would have a deflationary impact on his offensive production.

However, Peterka’s high-end talent and skill are still worth betting on, especially since the cost was relatively modest. I believe in Kesselring’s game and top-four potential, but he was going to be stuck behind Sean Durzi and John Marino on the right side of Utah’s blue line.

For Buffalo, Kesselring is an exciting fit. He’s underrated because he isn’t a household name and wasn’t a flashy prospect, but I believe in his skill set. The 25-year-old is a 6-foot-5 right-shot defender who skates well, makes poised decisions against heavy forechecking pressure on breakouts and has good puck skills for such a big-bodied player.

When Marino and Durzi were injured in the first half, Kesselring took on a high-leverage top-four role and largely excelled in it. Kesselring averaged 19 minutes, 4 seconds, of ice time through the first 48 games of the season. He was winning those matchups, with Utah controlling approximately 52 percent of high-danger chances and outscoring opponents 31-18 during his five-on-five shifts. With that said, Kesselring needs to be more consistent defensively, and there’s still some risk in gambling on a player who has only had half a season’s worth of experience playing in a top-four role.

I see Kesslering as a rock-solid No. 4 defenseman, which doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but big-bodied right-shot defenders who can skate well and play top-four minutes are hard to find.

Josh Doan is an intriguing project, possessing the size, energy and two-way smarts to develop into an impactful third-line winger.

Mammoth grade: A-
Sabres grade: B

[Thorny]

22 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

Would be more accurately attached to the post suggesting that removing Peterka was addition by subtraction - but that’s not the name of the game anymore, I get it 

Edited 3 hours ago by Thorny

[Carmel Corn]

Josh Doan willing to stand up for a teammate....

 

[LGR4GM]

@Thorny Adams just got called a cuck on wgr so that's pretty funny. I wouldn't go there but callers are salty.

They did cut him immediately so unsure the point the caller was going with. 

Edited 3 hours ago by LGR4GM

[dudacek]

17 minutes ago, JustOneParade said:

Apologies if this has been asked or covered previously. Is Kesselring a 2nd pair D already or is he a 3rd pair D who is expected to jump into the top 4? If the latter, isn't that the Cliffy signing v.2? 

Maybe the Athletic reviews I posted above might help answer that?

[Thorny]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

@Thorny Adams just got called a cuck on wgr so that's pretty funny. 

By all means continue gaslighting me by eye rolling my post about addition by subtraction. 

It is objectively false that trading the asset for literally nothing could be a net win and that we are set to benefit, in this case, regardless of the return 

it’s not Skinner 

Edited 3 hours ago by Thorny

[LGR4GM]

Just now, Thorny said:

By all means continue gaslighting me by eye rolling my post about addition by subtraction. 

It is objectively false that trading the asset for literally nothing could be a net win 

You either don't know what gaslighting is, or what eye rolls are

... or both. 

Also it's hilarious that you of all posters, someone who routinely puts up laughing or eye rolls with no further comment is attempting to call me out for it. Hilarious. 

[jad1]

18 minutes ago, JustOneParade said:

Apologies if this has been asked or covered previously. Is Kesselring a 2nd pair D already or is he a 3rd pair D who is expected to jump into the top 4? If the latter, isn't that the Cliffy signing v.2? 

Separately, this should pretty much tank the Complaints Thursday thread for this week.  (sorry for using that term)

Kesselring has averaged around 17 minutes a night over his short NHL career.  Power has averaged around 22 minutes.  Kesselring needs to prove he can handle top 4 minutes.

If Adam's intention is for Kesselring to be Power's partner, the gamble here is similar to the one he took when he signed Clifton. 

[Thorny]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

You either don't know what gaslighting is, or what eye rolls are

... or both. 

Also it's hilarious that you of all posters, someone who routinely puts up laughing or eye rolls with no further comment is attempting to call me out for it. Hilarious. 

it’s not the eye roll, it’s the fact you are so wrong about it 

Gaslighting is the act of disingenuously trying to make someone doubt their own belief. Disingenuous in this case because you are giving me an eye roll on a statement you agree with 

I would ask you straight up if you think a hypothetical JJ for nothing deal could be considered addition by subtraction, but I know you won’t answer. Too afraid to 

Edited 3 hours ago by Thorny

[K012010]

16 minutes ago, Carmel Corn said:

Josh Doan willing to stand up for a teammate....

 

It wouldn’t surprise me whatsoever if on day one or day two of Jarmo being on the job that he told Adams to ship JJ out now while he still has high value (lowered because of our current league status unfortunately). 

This organization has enabled a ridiculous attitude of entitlement among this young contingent we’ve created. I’ve said this before, but it’s been a massive organizational failure on our ability to psychologically analyze prospects. And things like valuing high offensive potential over the ability to play two way hockey and also the desire to do it has contributed greatly to this mess. 

Kevyn failed massively with his experiment to go super young and try to build them all up together. Might have come closer to working if he had been able to psychologically analyze these players and realize that they are the type to become entitled. I’m assuming a Tuch extension will be coming soon because he’s the type of player you actually want on your team. I hope we get rid of Quinn soon as well. 

Now that Kevyn has a babysitter, I think we can start shaping the team into one that actually plays as a team effectively.

Edited 3 hours ago by K012010

[LGR4GM]

6 minutes ago, Thorny said:

it’s not the eye roll, it’s the fact you are so wrong about it 

Gaslighting is the act of disingenuously trying to make someone doubt their own belief. Disingenuous in this case because you are giving me an eye roll on a statement you agree with 

I would ask you straight up if you think a hypothetical JJ for nothing deal could be considered addition by subtraction, but I know you won’t answer. Too afraid to 

Speaking of gaslighting... 

Do I think trading JJ Peterka for nothing would have made the team better? No,  that's stupid. In fact it's gaslighting stupid by your own definition as you attempt to convince others I would be afraid to say trading Peterka for nothing is dumb and bad. 

Again, objectively hilarious a poster known for using emojis and then saying nothing about why is all huffy about an eye roll. Lol lol lol.

Edited 3 hours ago by LGR4GM
I spelled something wrong, sorry

[SabresBillsFan]

Just throwing this out there but my guess is Kulich is going to get Peterka’s minutes and let’s face it everyone he can shoot the puck! 

[Ross Rhea]

***** You Adams!

[K012010]

Just now, LGR4GM said:

Speaking of gaslighting... 

Do I think trading JJ Peterka for nothing would have made the team better? No,  that's stupid. I'm fact it's gaslighting stupid by your own definition as you attempt to convince others I would be afraid to say trading Peterka for nothing is dumb and bad. 

Again, objectively hilarious a poster known for using emojis and then saying nothing about why is all huffy about an eye roll. Lol lol lol.

Can you two just go ahead and hook up already. Then return to hockey discussion.

[Thorny]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Speaking of gaslighting... 

Do I think trading JJ Peterka for nothing would have made the team better? No,  that's stupid. In fact it's gaslighting stupid by your own definition as you attempt to convince others I would be afraid to say trading Peterka for nothing is dumb and bad. 

Again, objectively hilarious a poster known for using emojis and then saying nothing about why is all huffy about an eye roll. Lol lol lol.

The bold is all I was saying. You agree, so I stopped there.

Stupid, exactly 

- - - 

In seriousness, I’ve said this before - I think you get so hot and bothered you struggle with reading comprehension sometimes. I wasn’t ever suggesting you made the addition by subtraction comment. Someone else did. You felt “seen” and responded to it I guess

Edited 3 hours ago by Thorny

[LGR4GM]

1 minute ago, K012010 said:

Can you two just go ahead and hook up already. Then return to hockey discussion.

Meh, he's not my type. And I gotta run to a lunch meeting. 

Just now, Thorny said:

The bold is all I was saying. You agree, so I stopped there

- - - 

In seriousness, I’ve said this before - I think you get so hot and bothered you struggle with reading comprehension sometimes. I wasn’t ever suggesting you made the addition by subtraction comment. Someone else did. You felt “seen” and responded to it I guess

No I don't. You struggled to realize why I eye rolled you. I'm not bothered at all, I think your series of posts here have been overactive. 

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, CallawaySabres said:

Honestly, I have never heard of either player coming back and I REALLY liked Peterka. I had zero emotion on Mitts and Savoie so in a year where BIG things need to happen to crack the top 8, this is an awful start in my eyes. Go get Jason Robertson (yeah right) and maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

I agree the return is lacking. But it's not like Adams has a string of dud trades. A swap of first (4 for 9) would have made this deal so much more palatable.

[Thorny]

4 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Speaking of gaslighting... 

Do I think trading JJ Peterka for nothing would have made the team better? No,  that's stupid. In fact it's gaslighting stupid by your own definition as you attempt to convince others I would be afraid to say trading Peterka for nothing is dumb and bad. 

Again, objectively hilarious a poster known for using emojis and then saying nothing about why is all huffy about an eye roll. Lol lol lol.

We can do the reading comprehension thing again: I don’t care about the emoji. I care you were so wrong. But like the sabres I should learn to be more accepting of such inevitable circumstances 

3 minutes ago, K012010 said:

Can you two just go ahead and hook up already. Then return to hockey discussion.

He would get lost on the way 

[DarthEbriate]

44 minutes ago, Thorny said:

No I’m tired of needing to be this message board person. I don’t like allowing them to make me so upset and I don’t like having to constantly try and take away the satisfaction you DO get from the team that I jealously cannot. I’m not sure I even want to take it away anymore: I don’t think better is coming. sometimes staying in the matrix is the right call 

- - - 

Mostly just done being lied to 

But we aren't being lied to. (Except by Sheevyn, a bit, but does he count?)

The owner said the new path of the team is EEE in 2020, and hasn't refuted that new direction in a press conference since. The purpose of the Buffalo Sabres is to keep your distance from the cap without looking like you're trying to keep your distance from the cap. I don't know, fly casual!

 

This could all change with one easy thing. Pegulas the Wise comes out next week and says, "our purpose is to win the Cup, EEE is over, I expect us to be at the limit of the cap and... Adams is relieved of his duties as GM. He's now my right-hand POHO guy." The odds of this happening are approximately 4,659,230 to one.