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Buffalo Sabres: Best and worst-case scenarios for each rookie in 2022

By Sion Fawkes

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Owen Power #25 of the Buffalo Sabres levels Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs while skating in his first career NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Owen Power #25 of the Buffalo Sabres levels Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs while skating in his first career NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
Oct 5, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing John-Jason Peterka (77) carries the puck into the offensive zone against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

J.J. Peterka

While I listed production as a big thing for Power and Quinn, Peterka’s best-case scenario is something I have drawn out differently. He may wind up as a rotational player early in his career with the Buffalo Sabres, so in this best-case scenario, he starts off on the third line and becomes a physical, two-way winger.

Creating scoring opportunities for teammates based on his physicality will suffice for Peterka in 2022-23. And while I expect some scoring output, 25-30 points this season is an acceptable number. Ideally, becoming a player who can log takeaways and aggression along the boards will make Peterka’s rookie season a success.

In a worst-case scenario, Peterka finds himself struggling to log ice time. Meaning the Sabres would go with veterans Vinnie Hinostroza, Anders Bjork (yeah, he’s still on the roster), and Zemgus Girgensons at winger before they turn to Peterka’s services.

This would indicate Peterka is not where the Sabres want him to be developmental-wise, and he plays in a maximum of 30-35 games. Not quite what you want to see from a second round pick you have high hopes for.

Related Story. 3 questions facing the Buffalo Sabres. light

As with many of my best/worst-case scenario predictions, my true expectation is that something close to the upper-middle will occur. While it would be fantastic to see Power, Quinn, and Peterka record my projected best-case scenarios, reality may have other ideas. We will see some early returns of these predictions when training camp rolls around.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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