Buffalo Sabres: How will each rookie produce in 2022-23?
By Sion Fawkes
Rookie #2 – J.J. Peterka
If you go back to 2021-22, J.J. Peterka was the most consistent prospect in the Buffalo Sabres system. He won All-Rookie honors alongside Jack Quinn, and he even outplayed his teammate in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
In 70 regular season games, Peterka’s 68 points led all AHL rookies. Of those 68, 28 went for goals and another 40, assists. He also added 12 points (7 + 5) in his 10 playoff games. So how good will Peterka look at the next level?
I can see him at winger either on the third or the fourth line. His playing style bodes well for the third, but he can also use his hitter’s mentality for the fourth. I’m looking for head coach Don Granato to develop the rookies in Quinn and Peterka slowly, so I’ll go out on a limb and project he sees time on both the third and the fourth in 2022-23.
Therefore, I don’t see him producing too many points on the bottom six; most likely around 30, with more of those points coming in the latter half of the season. In my projection, I had Peterka scoring between 25 and 35, so let’s take the average number and also say 10 of those points will be goals and the other 20, assists.
It may not put Peterka in consideration for the Calder, but it will be something for him to build on. He will be an exciting player to watch regardless.