After weeks of speculation, the Buffalo Sabres have completed a trade, sending winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth. In exchange, Buffalo receives defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. Peterka was one of the most talked-about players potentially available on the market and now joins a Mammoth team already strong with offensive talent.
Peterka, who turned 23 in January, had a breakout season with 27 goals and 41 assists. Notably, Peterka`s production has seen significant improvement in each of his three full professional seasons. As a former second-round draft pick, he possesses the potential to develop into a point-per-game player and a bona fide top-line winger.
The Utah Mammoth are considered a team on the ascent, making this move a logical fit for them, especially if they concluded they were unlikely to secure Mitch Marner in free agency. Peterka serves as a valuable alternative, even if he might be less polished than some top-tier targets.
From the Buffalo Sabres` perspective, the return might appear somewhat underwhelming at first glance, but they did acquire assets. Kesselring is a tall, mobile defenseman who has the potential to perform effectively in a top-four defensive role. Doan, also 23 years old, is likely to establish himself as a long-term contributor in Buffalo`s bottom-six forward group, providing valuable depth.
Let`s examine what each team acquired in this trade and assess the outcome for both sides.
The Trade Details
- Utah Mammoth Receive: Forward JJ Peterka
- Buffalo Sabres Receive: Forward Josh Doan, Defenseman Michael Kesselring
Trade Grades
Utah Mammoth Assessment
Peterka was highly sought after for good reason. It`s rare to find a 23-year-old whose offensive output has increased by 18 points in consecutive seasons. In the 2024-25 season, Peterka`s 68 points tied him for second on the Sabres with Rasmus Dahlin, and he adds significant scoring punch to Utah`s exciting group of young forwards.
Peterka particularly excels at attacking off the rush, providing Utah`s offense with quick-strike capabilities. With 55 goals combined over the past two seasons, Peterka has proven his ability to score at the NHL level, and last season he also demonstrated improved playmaking skills, nearly doubling his assist total from 22 to 41.
However, despite Peterka`s considerable offensive talent, especially in transition, there are noticeable weaknesses in his defensive game. He often gives back defensively much of what he generates offensively. When Peterka was on the ice at five-on-five last season, the Sabres allowed an expected goals against per 60 minutes of 3.04, according to Natural Stat Trick. This defensive issue wasn`t always reflected in the actual goals against partly because the Sabres benefited from an unsustainable shooting percentage of 14.2% with him on the ice.
Upon acquiring Peterka, the Mammoth reportedly signed him to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $7.7 million. Given his age and the expected rise in the salary cap, this agreement appears reasonable. Peterka possesses immense offensive potential and could become a key offensive weapon at the top of Utah`s lineup if he can improve his defensive liabilities. Grade: B+
Buffalo Sabres Assessment
If I were managing the Sabres, I`m uncertain I would have chosen to trade Peterka, even with potentially high contract demands. Proven talent at such a young age is difficult to find, and replacing Peterka`s offensive contribution in the top six will be challenging for Buffalo. The Sabres might ultimately fare acceptably with this deal, but it heavily depends on Kesselring thriving in the significant role he`s expected to play.
Watching Kesselring, it`s clear why the Sabres were interested. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound defenseman moves well and demonstrates the ability to make skillful plays with the puck. These are traits characteristic of top-four defensemen, which is precisely the role Kesselring is projected to fill in Buffalo. Last season, Kesselring posted a 54.1% expected goals share at five-on-five while allowing just 2.31 expected goals against per 60 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Offensively, Kesselring recorded seven goals and 22 assists, although his skating ability suggests he may be capable of even greater production. With one year remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $1.4 million, Kesselring is also considerably less expensive than Peterka, despite being two years older.
Josh Doan, son of Arizona Coyotes legend Shane Doan, played a bottom-six role for Utah last season, registering 19 points in 51 games. While these numbers aren`t flashy, at 23 years old, Doan has the potential to develop into a solid bottom-six forward, providing valuable depth for the Sabres.
At first glance, this trade seems unfavorable for the Sabres given the amount of offense they`ve moved out. What elevates their grade is the potential of the perhaps underrated Michael Kesselring, who Buffalo will need to step up, particularly if defenseman Bowen Byram is also traded later this summer. Grade: C+
