Young forward JJ Peterka proved during the 2024–25 NHL season that he’s capable of accomplishing great things. After recording his best numbers yet, the 23-year-old was traded by the Buffalo Sabres, having already established himself as a key player since being selected in the 2020 Draft.
Peterka was in a critical contract situation, as he was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2025. That meant the Sabres were in a race against time, nowhere close to reaching a new deal to keep him and dangerously close to losing him if another franchise made an offer they couldn’t or wouldn’t match.
The player’s contract situation, combined with Buffalo’s need to restructure and add depth in other areas, led the franchise to start listening to offers. All sides saved themselves the trouble of waiting for the July free agency window and managed to strike a fair deal in advance.
Peterka’s new team
Peterka’s new team is the Utah Mammoth. The Sabres traded the German winger in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. The move represents a significant step for both franchises ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season.
JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres skates during warmups before a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center on April 17, 2025 (Photo by Rebecca Villagracia/Getty Images)
Just minutes after the deal was finalized, Utah acted quickly to lock down their new addition, offering Peterka a sizable five-year, $38.5 million contract, with an average annual salary of $7.7 million. The Mammoth are making clear use of their strong cap space.
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Peterka’s numbers last season
Peterka’s recent performance in the league more than justifies the Mammoth’s decision to bring him in. The young German played in 77 games during the 2024–25 campaign, scoring 27 goals and adding 41 assists for a total of 68 points, his best NHL season to date.
