JJ Peterka spent the first four years of his NHL career with the Buffalo Sabres. He'll return to the KeyBank Center as a visitor on Tuesday night as the Utah Mammoth winger attempts to continue his red-hot start with his new team.
Peterka, who scored 150 points in 238 appearances for the Sabres, has recorded four goals and six assists across his first 12 games for the Mammoth. The 23-year-old German credited his teammates for his instant success following his arrival in a blockbuster offseason trade.
"I think it's credit to the group for welcoming me so well; it felt like home right away," Peterka told Derek Van Diest of NHL.com. "We're having a lot of fun and I think that's the key to our success, is supporting each other on and off the ice and everywhere."
Buffalo is also enjoying the trade's outcome, though. It received forward Josh Doan, who's been one of the club's best players through 12 games, and defenseman Michael Kesselring. The early returns suggest it may turn out as a true win-win deal.
Perhaps the biggest question is how Sabres fans will respond to Peterka. Although the 2020 second-round pick never went public with a formal trade request, it became clear he wasn't interested in signing a long-term contract extension, which necessitated his departure.
Buffalo may give him the cold shoulder as a result
Buffalo Sabres, Utah Mammoth trade pieces take center stage
Josh Doan, Michael Kesselring comment on Mammoth reunion
While the spotlight will be on the reaction to Peterka's return, it's also a chance for Doan and Kesselring to show Utah it made a mistake by trading them away. Neither one appears to have any hard feelings toward their former organization, though.
"You like to think it's not personal, but I'm very excited to play them," Kesselring told reporters. "I watch a bunch of [Utah's] games. I still text a few of those guys all the time — really close, lifelong friends with some of those guys. ... I wish them the best, but not when we play them."
Doan added: “Kind of had to do the same thing last year: the new organization, introducing yourself. But at the same time, been given a role here to compete and have fun and be part of a change here. Seeing what we've done early on is exciting, and you can see us trending in that right direction."
Kesselring is just getting back up to full speed after missing the start of the regular season because of an injury. Tuesday's game will mark just his fourth appearance for Buffalo.
Doan has been the Sabres' most consistently effective skater in the early going, racking up nine points in 12 contests.
How do Buffalo and Utah stack up early in the season?
The Mammoth arrive to Buffalo with an 8-4-0 record, while an up-and-down opening month has left the Sabres at 5-4-3, which is actually tied for last place in the unbelievably crowded Eastern Conference.
Here's a look at where the teams rank in a few key categories (via Natural Stat Trick):
Goals for percentage (GF%) at 5-on-5
- Utah 56.0% (5th), Buffalo 48.1% (21st)
Expected goals for percentage (xGF%) at 5-on-5
- Utah 53.3% (9th), Buffalo 50.6% (9th)
GF% in all situations
- Utah 53.2% (6th), Buffalo 48.7% (21st)
xGF% in all situations
- Utah 50.9% (12th), Buffalo 48.8% (20th)
Sabres injury issues are crushing forward depth
Jiri Kulich and Jason Zucker joined a Sabres injury report that seemingly adds a new name every day ahead of Tuesday's battle with the Mammoth. They're doubtful for the contest.
Buffalo is also currently without:
- Zach Benson (lower body; week-to-week)
- Tyson Kozak (lower body; week-to-week)
- Justin Danforth (lower body; week-to-week)
- Josh Norris (upper body; out indefinitely)
That's a lot of forward talent missing for the Blue and Gold, which means other players must step up to help fill the void.
The Sabres and Mammoth are scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET in downtown Buffalo. Coverage options include MSG (TV), WGR 550 (radio), the Gotham Sports App (local streaming) and the ESPN App (out-of-market streaming).