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Shocking JJ Peterka Trade Rumor Emerges as Penguins Urged to Pounce
Another trade rumor involving Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka has come up, as NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman indicates they could be willing to listen to offers.
While much of the summer storyline in NHL circles will involve where pending Toronto Maple Leafs UFA forward Mitch Marner signs, another notable player who could be playing elsewhere next season is Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka.
He's a pending RFA after his entry level contract with an AAV (average annual value) of $855,833 is set to expire on July 1.
While the Sabres have reportedly held firm in their desire not to trade him, NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman indicated during a recent "32 Thoughts" podcast that the franchise could be having second thoughts about the idea and could even entertain listening to offers.
Their answer has changed. They are at least now listening on it. And I think that's recent. I think it's the reality of the situation. Look, people know that Peterka's unhappy and it's believed he would like to go somewhere else.
And, I just think that reality is sinking in a little bit. I think the Sabres realize they at least have to look into it. In the last little bit, it's gone from, 'We don't want to do it and we're not doing it,' to 'We don't wanna do it, but we at least have to look into it... If you have a serious offer, we'll look into it.'
This goes against what Friedman himself had previously said, that the Sabres don't want to trade Peterka despite management knowing that their top players are growing impatient with their 14-year postseason drought.
The Peterka talk has been out there, though again, Buffalo has indicated that's something they're not really crazy about doing. But I just get people who keep saying to me, 'You've got to watch the Sabres'. They know their core guys, they want to win. Not that anyone blames them. They know exactly how their core players feel.
Peterka, who has been with the Sabres since they took him with the 34th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, played in 77 games this year andwas the club's 2nd leading scorer this year with 68 points (27G, 41A).
| POLL | ||
JUIN 15 | 134 ANSWERS Shocking JJ Peterka Trade Rumor Emerges as Penguins Urged to Pounce Will JJ Peterka be traded by the Sabres? | ||
| Yes | 97 | 72.4 % |
| No | 37 | 27.6 % |
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