Two significant narratives of the NHL offseason centered on the Utah Mammoth`s search for a top-six forward and the potential departure of restricted free agent JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres.
These two stories converged recently when the Mammoth acquired Peterka from the Sabres in a trade that sent forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring to Buffalo.
We examine the performance of both team`s management in this transaction and its future implications.
Utah Mammoth Grade: A+
Despite ranking among the top-10 in shot share, shots per 60, and scoring chances per 60 during the 2024-25 season, the Utah Hockey Club finished 16th in goals per game, highlighting a scoring deficiency. With over $20 million in cap space available, addressing this issue was a priority.
Mammoth General Manager Bill Armstrong`s latest major move was acquiring Peterka via trade, promptly followed by signing him to a five-year contract extension valued at $7.7 million per year.
Since the franchise`s acquisition and relocation to Salt Lake City by Ryan and Ashley Smith, the Mammoth have pursued a strategic yet aggressive team-building strategy. This began last year with the acquisition of a true top defenseman, Mikhail Sergachev, alongside John Marino, as part of a blue line overhaul.
The move for Peterka represents another significant push. By adding the 23-year-old forward, the Mammoth gain a proven offensive threat who solves their scoring need and aligns with their long-term vision. Peterka followed up his 28-goal, 50-point campaign in 2023-24 with 27 goals and 68 points in 77 games during his final season with Buffalo.
Acquisitions often expand a team`s tactical options, and Peterka provides the Mammoth with several. Their top-six forward group now features Peterka alongside Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, and Nick Schmaltz. This creates a formidable top-six with multiple 20-goal threats, complementing centers Logan Cooley and Barrett Hayton, who also surpassed the 20-goal mark last season, solidifying the top two lines.
Possessing one of the NHL`s highly-rated farm systems, the Mammoth successfully acquired Peterka without sacrificing their top prospects. They retain players like Matias Maccelli, who could potentially be involved in future trades, and maintain significant salary cap flexibility.
Key unrestricted free agents for the team include Nick Bjugstad and Michael Carcone, with Jack McBain being their primary restricted free agent. Following the upcoming draft, where they hold a high pick, they will likely utilize their substantial remaining cap space to be active when free agency opens.
Buffalo Sabres Grade: B-
Describing the return Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams received for Peterka is perhaps best summarized by the word `complicated`.
Typically, a controllable 23-year-old top-six forward commands a significant return. While the Sabres acquired two NHL players in Doan and Kesselring, fulfilling part of that expectation, there`s a case to be made that the compensation wasn`t sufficient.
After a 14-season playoff drought, the Sabres are navigating the challenge of competing now while keeping an eye on future adjustments. Despite possessing a solid prospect pool, trading Peterka offered a chance to bolster their draft capital or add more high-end prospects.
This is particularly relevant given Peterka`s importance to the Sabres; he ranked second in team points, third in goals, third in power-play points, and third in ice time among forwards playing over 70 games.
However, Adams didn`t receive nothing in return. Josh Doan has the potential to become a top-nine forward, and the move to Buffalo offers him an opportunity for greater consistency after splitting last season between the AHL and the NHL.
Michael Kesselring provides Buffalo with another right-shot defenseman. He recorded over 20 points and played more than 70 games in back-to-back seasons. Kesselring ranked sixth in average ice time among Mammoth defensemen, suggesting he, like Doan, could see an increased role with the Sabres.
Doan and Kesselring contribute depth to the Sabres roster. They carry a combined cap hit of $2.325 million for the upcoming season before becoming restricted free agents. Buffalo retains significant cap space.
Ultimately, the question remains: Is a middle-six forward and a middle-pairing defenseman a sufficient return for a proven top-six forward? Or could Adams have commanded more for a player who fills a critical need for Utah, leaving Buffalo with a notable vacancy?
Benedict Kingsley 
Rupert Hartwell