The Buffalo Sabres' JJ Peterka is a hot commodity this offseason if the pending RFA is to be traded. If that doesn't happen soon and a contract isn't signed, offer sheets could also be heading the Sabres' way.
The Chicago Blackhawks have to clearly upgrade at forward this offseason and the team has to bring in at least one big name player. While free agency is a place to do that and inevitably overpay for players, every team can seemingly throw their hat in and send an offer. For a team that finished 31st last season and may not be a top destination for top players right now, trading for talent would be the more efficient way of upgrading.
According to Frank Seravalli, that is what the Blackhawks are trying to do with Peterka. The insider also lists four other teams that are "squarely in the mix" for the talented Sabres' forward. The teams that apparently have a similar chance of landing Peterka in a trade with Buffalo include the New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, and New York Rangers.
Peterka is just 23 years old and is at the age that would perfectly fit on the Blackhawks. He finished this season with 27 goals and 68 points in 77 games and it is the second season in a row where he's put up at least 27 goals. His offensive production is rising rapidly and he could easily jump to a point-per-game player. That would make a huge difference on the Blackhawks who struggled more with scoring goals and forming lasting line combinations this season.
Peterka would instantly be a top-6 player and top power-play member for Chicago. Put him on Connor Bedard's wing and that is a lot of talent for a long time. If the Blackhawks were to acquire Peterka, I wouldn't doubt that a big eight-year contract extension would be involved in the deal. The Blackhawks have more than enough money this offseason and being freed up after next season to start extending and offering big contracts in order to help make the jump into the playoffs.
It would be a major win for Chicago to land Peterka, even if it costs some good assets not in the NHL yet. If a deal gets done, I also don't believe it would be the last big move the Blackhawks would try to make this offseason.
