BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 21: JJ Peterka #77 of the Buffalo Sabres scores a goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period at TD Garden on December 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Looking to add scoring punch next season, the Utah Mammoth has reached an agreement in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres for forward JJ Peterka. Buffalo receives Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan in return.
NHL insiders Frank Seravelli and Elliott first reported the deal late on Wednesday, June 25.
“We are excited to welcome J.J. to Utah and know our fans are going to love what he brings,” Utah president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said. “On the other side of this, it is never easy to say goodbye to players of the highest character like Michael and Josh – we are certainly grateful for their contributions to our organization and trust their careers will continue to flourish in Buffalo.”
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Trade call being arranged. This is happening. https://t.co/hKiECg6RJO
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 26, 2025
Seravelli also reports that Peterka is expected to sign a contract extension with the Mammoth.
“J.J. is a highly skilled, creative, young forward with extremely high upside,” said Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Mammoth. “He will help solidify our scoring and add to what is already a great young core of forwards on the roster. Signing J.J. to a long-term extension is another positive step towards building a sustainable contender here in Utah, and today is an exciting day for our entire organization.”
According to Seravalli, Peterka is signing a 5 year x $7.7M extension. https://t.co/tgURDxo0Nj
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 26, 2025
Peterka sits seventh in career points and sixth in goals and power-play points (11-19-30) among all players from his 2020 draft class.
The trade comes two days before the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft on Thursday, June 27.
The Sabres selected the Munich, Germany native in the second round (No. 34) of the 2020 NHL Draft.
Peterka spent one season with Rochester of the AHL, leading the team with 68 points (28 goals, 40 assists) in 70 games. He made his NHL debut on December 29, 2021, against the New Jersey Devils.
Peterka scored his first NHL goal on opening night in 2022, giving the Sabres a glimpse of his talent. He began the season with a point in three consecutive games.
🚨THE BIG Z🚨
JJ Peterka gets his first career NHL assist! #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/dm5MQEFw9k
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 15, 2022
He played 77 games in the 2022-23 season, scoring 12 goals and adding 20 assists in under 14 minutes per night.
Peterka exploded for a career-high 28 goals and 22 assists in his second season while playing all 82 games.
The 23-year-old scored 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists) last season, both career-highs. Peterka scored three game-winners for the Sabres in 2024-25.
Following the conclusion of the Utah Mammoths’ inaugural season, the next notable event will be the NHL Draft on June 27 and 28.
After recently drawing the fourth overall draft pick in the 2025 NHL draft, each of Utah’s upcoming draft selections will be dressed in the new Utah Mammoth home sweater.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
