In June 2025, a blockbuster trade involving the Buffalo Sabres occurred. The Sabres traded winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for winger Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring.
Kesselring was traded away by Buffalo during the offseason, but Doan is now playing the first season of a seven-year, $48.65 million contract. Last season, the Sabres were able to have success with Doan, who had over 50 points. But this year he is currently struggling at the start.
Josh Doan has only one point in the first seven games on the start of the year
Meanwhile, JJ Peterka for the Bruins now has five points on the season. That difference can represent a lot. Generating more chances and being more reliable is important, especially as the Sabres look to establish themselves early in the campaign.
Doan's early-season struggles represent a growing problem for Lindy Ruff and the coaching staff. The question is where is the firepower coming from on the wings. The Sabres are stacked at the center position but since Alex Tuch left, they did not have a potent winger emerging.
Trading Peterka proved to be right in the short-term with last season. But now the question has to be asked is do the Sabres have enough offensive upside to sustain themselves this season.
Jack Quinn has four points on the year. He has the most points for a winger. Doan signed a major contract for seven years. He has yet in the early parts of this year to be playing well enough to have earned that contract.
Tage Thompson is clearly the most aggressive offensive player on the roster but if they rely on him too much, defenses will zero in and the Sabres will continue to play up and down on the season.
Fans may be questioning now if the Sabres have rid themselves of too many productive wings the last few seasons. If Doan cant improve after coming over from the Mammoth, they be looking to make a trade or sign a free-agent winger in the future.
Doan has to show that the trade and contract are worth what they gave up in Peterka two years ago. It paid off last season but now moving forward for this year, he needs to become the player they saw in him before offering him the new contract.
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