The NHL Trade Deadline is almost here and speculation is swirling around who should stay and who should go at all the league’s 32 teams. The Buffalo Sabres sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division’s standings. After losing four in a row and hopes of breaking the NHL’s longest playoff drought dashed, it’s tempting to have a fire sale mindset in Sabreland.
However, that would be the wrong approach. The Blue and Gold can never climb out of the hockey basement by becoming a farm team for other franchises, as logical as that might seem to pessimistic observers.
Case in point is forward JJ Peterka. The German right winger is enjoying a breakout year, on pace to snag 60 points this season. No. 77 had a 28-22-50 record in 2023-24 and already enjoys 18 goals, 31 assists and 49 points so far this year.
One of his best performances in 2024-25 came on Jan. 28 versus the Boston Bruins at home. Peterka matched Tage Thompson to give fans two Sabres’ hat tricks in one game, trouncing their hated rivals in a crushing 7-2 victory.
That wasn’t the only time Peterka’s stepped up this year. A few months before, on Nov. 9, 2024, the Sabres faced the Calgary Flames. Buffalo took an early lead, but unfortunately as often happens, the Sabres let their opponent back in the game and the Flames tied it up late in the third period. Nobody scored the OT knockout, so the contest went to a shootout. Peterka scored the only goal, while UPL shut out Calgary to give Buffalo two points.
Sadly, Peterka isn’t safe from trade rumors. Jacob Punturi at Si.com recently mentioned No. 77 as a trade prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins. NHL insider Eliotte Friedman was positively giddy at the idea, saying “I’ve heard Pittsburgh has asked about some of Buffalo’s young players…Like Peterka, that’s a big price..if it ever happens.”
Let’s hope Friedman’s euphoria stays at the “if it ever happens” stage. Alex Tuch is another name trade rumors have abounded in lately. Like Tuch, Peterka is a forward Buffalo can ill afford to part with cheaply and the best thing for the team and No. 77 is to lock him up with a long-term deal.