The Buffalo Sabres pulled off a late-night deal Wednesday, trading forward JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, according to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.
Peterka, 23, was coming off a breakout 68-point season and had established himself as a key offensive weapon. Drafted 34th overall by Buffalo in 2020, the German forward totaled 150 points across 238 games with the club.
Kesselring, a 6-foot-5, right-shot defenseman, is coming off a 29-point campaign and brings size, edge, and top-four potential to the blue line.
Doan, 23, son of NHL legend Shane Doan, tallied 19 points in 51 games and adds grit and depth to Buffalo’s forward group.
The Sabres, still seeking to end their 14-year playoff drought, gain cap flexibility and positional depth with this deal. While Peterka’s departure is significant, the move reflects GM Kevyn Adams’ commitment to building a more complete and competitive roster.
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].