Seravalli: Buffalo may not have a choice but to trade Peterka

[SEALBound]

Trading assets to acquire a Larkin/Couture sure does change the trajectory... And yes, probably prevented those teams from bottoming out quicker.

How is Zegras comparable to any of these guys?

Getting the pieces needed to rebound doesn't always mean bottoming out nor does bottoming out guarantee you get those pieces. If I'm not mistaken, Couture has been on the SJS roster recently. Obviously his presence did nothing to prevent SJS from tanking. Just like I don't think Peterka is going to prevent the Penguins from tanking.

Every bottom dwelling team has a Peterka. I also think Zegras is a very good comp for Peterka.

I'm not even sure what you're arguing really? is your argument that the Penguins shouldn't trade for Peterka because he would interrupt their rebuild? If so, I do not think that is true. At all. My hope would be to add two top 6 centers in the next 3 drafts and once they come and are ready to go, you have a 26yo Peterka serving as the top line wing to pair them with.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Getting the pieces needed to rebound doesn't always mean bottoming out nor does bottoming out guarantee you get those pieces. If I'm not mistaken, Couture has been on the SJS roster recently. Obviously his presence did nothing to prevent SJS from tanking. Just like I don't think Peterka is going to prevent the Penguins from tanking.

Every bottom dwelling team has a Peterka. I also think Zegras is a very good comp for Peterka.

I'm not even sure what you're arguing really? is your argument that the Penguins shouldn't trade for Peterka because he would interrupt their rebuild? If so, I do not think that is true. At all. My hope would be to add two top 6 centers in the next 3 drafts and once they come and are ready to go, you have a 26yo Peterka serving as the top line wing to pair them with.

"I think Zegras is a very good comp for Peterka."

... Considering PIT is still a year or two from truly bottoming out and Peterka is already 23, not really? Zegras is only a year older and ANA is nearing the exit of their rebuild. The timeline is not remotely close. That's why Larkin and Couture were mentioned.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Hawks trading an unprotected 1st in the Mckenna draft seems utterly insane to me.

Hawks get 23 yr old established NHL top 6 talent back

I would also remind people this time last year it was "Fail for Hagen" and "Hagen draft"

Now look at 2025 draft and Hagen situation

Hawks also would still be setup well draft wise even moving that pick including 3rd overall this year + 25th overall (Leafs pick)

At NHL/AHL level Hawks would have

C Connor Bedard (2023 1st round)
C Frank Nazar (2022 1st round)
C Oliver Moore (2023 1st round)
W J.J. Peterka (Via this trade)
RW Colton Dach
C Ryan Green
D Alex Vlasic
D Sam Rinzel (2022 1st round)
D Artyom Levshunov (2024 1st round)
D Kevin Korchinski (2022 1st round)
D Nolan Allan (2021 1st round)
D Ethan Del Mastro
G Spencer Knight (2019 1st round)
G Drew Commesso

Among others to build around

We also have in pipeline decent amount of young talent not in NHL or AHL at this point

C Sacha Boisvert (1st round 2024)
LW Marek Vanacker (1st round 2024)
LW Nick Lardis
RW Roman Kantersov
C John Mustard
C Anthony Spellacy
RW Jack Pridham

 

[Oscar The Grouch]

I need a scouting report.

Strengths and weaknesses?

 

[Archie Lee]

Buffalo's needs:

1.) A RHD who can actually play defense and PK
2.) A two-way center
3.) A LHD who can play with Dahlin and soak lots of minutes and play defense

We've got wing prospects coming out the ears....we DON'T need any of those

They need a good GM and Head Coach. Until they get the right people in place in those positions, the players aren’t going to matter.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

PIT having Peterka for their rebuild is essentially the equivalent of Detroit having Larkin or San Jose having Couture...

Except they drafted those players and didn't spend assets to acquire them.

I don't follow the logic. If Pittsburgh gives up a package of draft picks for Peterka, how is that any different than using a draft pick on him?

Even if they give up multiple draft picks, you can add up the value of those picks and come up with a reasonable proxy of how high of a single pick the multiple picks equal.

 

[SEALBound]

"I think Zegras is a very good comp for Peterka."

... Considering PIT is still two years from bottoming out and Peterka is already 23, not really? Zegras is only a year older and ANA is nearing the exit of their rebuild. The timeline is not remotely close.

Again, I'm not quite sure what you're arguing?

Okay, the Penguins bottom out in 2-3yrs. JP is 25/26. After 3-4 years, they regain competitive form and JP is 29/30. Most team's prime impact wingers are in that age range. If the argument is "well the top line winger should be...25? and not 29" then, again, I simply do not agree.

 

[Gliff]

Is this because he will receive an offer sheet?

I wonder if we see a trade similar to the Hamilton one in 2015. Boston traded him for 15th, 45th, and 52nd. This was apparently because they thought he would sign an offer sheet. So the return was anchored to the expected compensation. The picks they received were better than a future 1st+2nd+3rd that might be late in the round.

I wonder if one of the teams in the top 10 of the draft would move their pick for him.

I would do the 10th overall + from the Ducks for him.

 

[SEALBound]

I don't follow the logic. If Pittsburgh gives up a package of draft picks for Peterka, how is that any different than using a draft pick on him?

Even if they give up multiple draft picks, you can add up the value of those picks and come up with a reasonable proxy of how high of a single pick the multiple picks equal.

I don't think the Sabres would do draft picks but outside of Sid, I don't know if there's an off-limits roster player.

Like a package around Rakell would be solid for Buffalo given that Rakell will provide similar offensive output likely at a lower cost allowing them to bolster other depth positions.

Clarifier: I said PACKAGE around Rakell. NOT Rakell 1:1. I feel on the main boards it's uber important to reinforce that for weak readers.

 

[TS Quint]

Not a lot in the area that is appealing for young 20 something world class athletes. It is a beautiful area to live in with great proximity to Toronto, Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes, etc, and we have no shortage of players who retire in the area to raise their families, but it is a bore for a lot of players.

When you combine that with the lack of hockey success (ie the soul crushing weight of hopelessness), it makes it a hard sell.

Not buying it. For as hard as it is for Winnipeg to attract free agents, even the Jets can force feed enough Kool Aid down players throats to trick a fair number into re sign in with them. Sure there are always a few who don’t like it. But no one is missing the likes Trouba, Kane, Dubois or Laine. Some shrewd trades made most of those pills easier for the fans to swallow.

I don’t think Buffalo it’s self is a huge problem something stinks in the organization.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

Does JJ have any leverage in this instance? He's got a boat load of time before he's UFA eligible. And an arbitration would be priced at what? Less than Raymond at 8M, more than Lundell at 5M, say, 6.5? 7M? - BUF is taking that all day for a 65pt+, 23yo LW or am I missing something?

 

[TageGod]

Buffalo's defense doesn't need to get any younger.

The value is probably correct, I don't think the Sabres are going to want another young d-man though



This isn't 2003 when players didn't have rights till they turned 28.

If Peterka wants out, he can accomplish it in a lot of ways.

He can simply tell the sabres "I'm going to solicit an offersheet that is signing bonus heavy, if you match, I will take the signing bonus and sit out a year". It would force the Sabres hand.

After Eichel's memorable presser in 2021 after the team denied him the back surgery he wanted, Adams went on about how he only wanted "Players that want to be here"

If Peterka has said he wants out, the Sabres won't have a ton of a choice. If they trade him, they can at least control the narrative a bit and get more immediate help. If they let him get offersheeted....then things can get messy.

Huh? When the hell was the last time a hockey player, especially a young one, sat out an entire year? He is an RFA, if he wants to play hockey the Sabres can make sure it's for Buffalo. Dude isn't so unhappy he wants to stop playing hockey and make no money lol. Sabres say here is 7x7 take it or sit out. They can match any OS and say too bad. This is not a third contract or long term deal gone bad situation. An agent wants this narrative to attract offer sheets, which makes his client happy, and the agent happy. Classic agent negotiating through media.

 

[KevinRedkey]

Batherson for Peterka

 

[Hextallent63]

Buffalo's needs:

1.) A RHD who can actually play defense and PK
2.) A two-way center
3.) A LHD who can play with Dahlin and soak lots of minutes and play defense

We've got wing prospects coming out the ears....we DON'T need any of those

Risto, York, Poehling from Philly. Got a center young with upside you could add?

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Again, I'm not quite sure what you're arguing?

Okay, the Penguins bottom out in 2-3yrs. JP is 25/26. After 3-4 years, they regain competitive form and JP is 29/30. Most team's prime impact wingers are in that age range. If the argument is "well the top line winger should be...25? and not 29" then, again, I simply do not agree.

... They're back competitive in 3-4 years after bottoming out?

Man, you have a very unrealistic expectation of how long bottoming out and rebuilding takes. Detroit and San Jose were the comparison for a reason. Both chose to let their core ride off into the sunset rather than blow it up. Sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?

 

[StuckOutHere]

Feels like this is a situation that has had a lot of low-key smoke.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Sign and trade

To
J.J. Peterka (8 x $9M)

To
D Wyatt Kaiser (RFA)
Hawks 2026 1st round pick (Unprotected)

- Hawks get a proven young NHL top 6 winger (23 yrs old) we can lock in for 8 years as part of core going forward

- Sabres get a 22 yr old NHL LD who established himself in Hawks top 4 this past season playing 57 Games with 4 goals + 4 assists while being even on dreadful Hawks team and playing 18 minutes a night

Offer sheet comp for Sabres at 9M for Peterka is a 1st + 2nd + 3rd but I would argue Hawks 1st + Kaiser is better value than other potential teams who would offer sheet

Sabres could then flip Hawks pick or their own 2026 1st to improve immediate roster at W or C if they desire



Connor Bedard is 19 yrs old, How are Hawks wasting his prime years?

There is NO SHOT I'd give up a 2026 unprotected 1st.

You can't risk Gavin Mckenna

 

[HFpapi]

Eichel
Reinhart
Hagel
Cozens
Ullmark
Peterka
Byrum

Assuming the last 2 come to fruition (obviously nothing is certain), that's just an absurd amount of talent to hemorrhage in a short period of time.

 

[CowbellConray]

My target would be Joel Eriksson Ek or Cirelli.

We need a legit second line center who can handle defensive responsibilities. If Minny would consider Eriksson Ek, I'd love to make that type of deal happen.

Cirelli and Howard for JJP and a pick would be another focus

 

[ctmagic]

I need a scouting report.

Strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths: O
Weakness: D

 

[Yatzhee]

Sure, Frank... sure.

Son-n-law runs in those circles around the team, daughter is on the ice clearing crew. Both have said BS on this one.

 

[SEALBound]

... They're back competitive in 3-4 years after bottoming out?

Man, you have a very unrealistic expectation of how long bottoming out and rebuilding takes. Detroit and San Jose were the comparison for a reason. Both chose to let their core ride off into the sunset rather than blow it up. Sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?

I mean, sorta? San Jose let a bunch of their guys go, sucked for 5 years, and now have legit pieces to build their future with. Add a guy like Misa to their current roster and I would suggest they are ready to start the process of competing, or at least adding to their existing team to compete and be better.

I suggested a 5-7 timeline myself...why is that different?

I guess I'm not clear as why the Penguins should hold on on acquiring good young players when that is their biggest need? I mean, using a 100% pie-in-the-sky example, they could get Jack O'Brien and Brady Martin this draft, Gavin McKenna next, and Dupont in 2027. Would that not put them in similar territory as the SJS? At that point, it would sure be swell if they could add a then 27yo Peterka in his prime to the top line. Peterka could very well be productive for 6 more years bringing him to 33. Which would be roughly 18-25-ish for the others. Isn't that what you would want?

 

[SEALBound]

Son-n-law runs in those circles around the team, daughter is on the ice clearing crew. Both have said BS on this one.

Well if there is ANYONE well connected on the inner workings of an NHL front office, it's the ice clearing girl.

No offense.

 

[AKL]

Something around Rossi and Peterka definitely makes way too much sense to actually happen irl

 

[ctmagic]

My target would be Joel Eriksson Ek or Cirelli.

We need a legit second line center who can handle defensive responsibilities. If Minny would consider Eriksson Ek, I'd love to make that type of deal happen.

Cirelli and Howard for JJP and a pick would be another focus

Ek would be a tough one to pry away. Highly doubt our F/O would consider it.