This offseason continues to get worse for Sabres fans as it seems another up-and-coming star wants out of Buffalo this summer. It was revealed by Frank Seravalli from Daily Faceoff Live that JJ Peterka also wants to test the free agent market this summer.
He said there is a chance that the Sabres will trade Peterka, as he and a few other players are unhappy with the lack of progress in Buffalo over the last few years. One can assume that Bowen Byram had to be one of the players complaining about this, as he is in the same situation as Peterka.
Byram’s attitude changed quickly, as he moved out of Buffalo and wants to go elsewhere, and sadly, it seems like Peterka may be right behind him. Peterka had a breakout season this year as he put up a career high 68 points, which included 27 goals and 41 assists. If Peterka does want out of Buffalo, can they find a way to keep him?
How can the Sabres keep Peterka?
This offseason has been extremely disappointing for the Sabres thus far; no coaching staff moves have been made, and the front office has yet to make a major move. Not saying the front office hasn’t made any good hirings, but it wasn’t the hirings that fans were hoping for.
One way or another, the Sabres need to be aggressive and start making moves on and off the ice. Players have been told the same story for years: “Follow the plan and this team will be successful,” yet year after year, the result is the same.
Which is why it is no surprise to Sabres fans when their talented players want to leave the team. The coaching staff from last year, except for Lindy Ruff, struggled. Yet no moves are being made to improve the staff.
I can’t say what it will take to get Peterka to stay, but the Sabres have to come up with an enticing offer to get him to stay in Buffalo. Peterka is just like Byram as he is projected to get a 7x7, seven years, and seven million per year.
If the Sabres manage to lose both of these players in the same offseason and fail to find solid replacements, fans are going to be in an uproar. The Sabres need to throw whatever they can at Peterka to get him to stay; if not, he will become like all the other talent Buffalo has had and he will blossom elsewhere.