The Buffalo Sabres are currently focused on finishing off the 2024-25 season on a positive note after most of the campaign being dominated by the negative. The club is looking to win their third game in a row in Utah on Thursday after a shootout win over Vegas on Saturday and an overtime victory in Boston on Monday. Barring an incredibly successful final 16 games, the Sabres are likely to finish in the bottom five of the NHL standings, and with a number of questions that will need to be addressed in the offseason.
Another dilemma that the club faces this summer is the contract situation with winger JJ Peterka. The 23-year-old will be a restricted free agent this summer and is on pace to score over 20 goals for the second year in a row after a career-high 28 goals last season.
Peterka has played mostly on the top line with Tage Thompson but has had some lengthy stretches without a goal (12, 8, and 7 games) in his third pro season. The German forward’s name surprisingly sprang up in trade chatter before the trade deadline.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli indicated earlier this month that the speculation regarding Peterka and the New York Rangers arose because there are Sabres players who are not happy with the situation in Buffalo and would like a change of scenery. The current situation with the club and the difficulty of attracting free agents or acquiring players because of their no-trade protection will undoubtedly be a factor in GM Kevyn Adams strategy this summer.
Peterka became eligible for a contract extension last July, but signing the winger did not appear to be a priority for Adams at the time. The Sabres will definitely make a qualifying offer to the young winger, but with the salary cap going up over the next couple of seasons, offer sheets could become more commonplace. Goalie Devon Levi is a prime candidate for an offer sheet, with goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen signed to a long-term extension, but it is hard to imagine Adams not matching any offer. The only question may be whether the two sides opt for a short-term bridge deal or agree on a long-term contract.
-1744554396-q80.webp "LOCKDOWN MODE ACTIVATED: Patrick Surtain II Says New Broncos Duo Will “Anchor the Defense”")
