Another offseason, another star Buffalo Sabre wants off the team. If over the last decade, the team could've held onto all of its star players, or at least the majority of them, they could've been one of the most dominating teams in the NHL. Instead, they haven't been to the playoffs since Obama was in his first term of office and haven't won a playoff series since making it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2006-07. An endless rebuild has engulfed that franchise.
This time the disgruntled player is JJ Peterka. The fast skating winger had a solid year. He scored 27 goals, one down from the previous year. However, he added to his assist totals, nearly doubling his previous career high of 22 by racking up 44 assists this year. The 23 year old German has really come into his own playing on a next to last place team.
However, Peterka wants off the team. He is also going to be a free agent. Buffalo has about $23 million in cap space, but they also have to sign fellow RFAs Bowen Byram and Ryan McLeod, as well as about a dozen more players. Some teams may want offer sheet Peterka at $5 million or more. Buffalo could match it, but may want to seek a trade.
Letting Peterka go as an RFA with an offer sheet of over $5 million would fetch the Sabres a first and third round pick in 2026. Over $7 million would add a second rounder as well. While the draft picks are nice, the Sabres would prefer an NHL ready player.
Why Peterka makes no sense for the Flyers
Is he young? Yes. Is he a dynamic scorer? Yes. Is he fast? Yes. So, he checks off a lot of boxes that the Flyers need. Why is he a bad fit?
It's mostly because of the position he plays. The Flyers have a glut at right wing. Currently, the Flyers have Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Bobby Brink, Tyson Foerster, and Garnet Hathaway already at right wing. Yes, Hathaway has spent some time at center, but that's not his natural position.
Couldn't the Flyers still acquire him for a first round pick, or a pair of second rounders, and a prospect? Sure, probably. But now you'd have seven right wingers on the team. Maybe then you flip one of them, say Brink and something else for a defender somewhere. Now you are down to six wingers on the right side. That means someone is going to have to play out of position at either left wing or center. That's not ideal.
Peterka is a good player, but isn't the guy on Buffalo they should look at.
McLeod is a better option
McLeod had a breakout year for Buffalo this year. He set career highs with 20 goals and 33 assists. Those 53 points are more than any other Flyer who played center this season. And guess what, they need a center.
He's also coming off a year where he made just $2.1 million. Offering him $5 million isn't a bad deal. The Sabres have a lot of players they have to re-sign. They may have to let him go or pay that price for him.
McLeod would turn 26 in September. He's a little older, but should be coming into his prime. He would be a young, viable option at center that might be harder to get somewhere else. If the Sabres have to choose between players, the Flyers might be able to take advantage of their situation. Peterka is good, but McLeod is a better fit for the Flyers' needs.