NHL Rumour: Sabres Young Forward Trade Potential Increasing

Rumour: Frank Seravalli said on his podcast, the DFO Rundown, that he’s be “stunned” if  Peterka was with the Sabres next season. Frank Seravalli has talked previously about how shakeups could be coming to the Sabres core. He also listed Peterka as his top trade target and offer sheet candidate of the offseason. 

Analysis: We’ve previously talked about Peterka’s future and the likelihood of him moving on or being taken from the Sabres. But it seems to be that he’s growing frustrated with the Sabres. Comments about him being upset were talked about on After The Whistle with Andrew Peters and Craig Rivet. In our previous reporting, we assumed that is he did leave it would be via a trade, and it seems there’s smoke with those rumours.

Peterka is a 23-year old coming off of a 68-point season. He shows a ton of promise, and has made regular appearances on the Sabres top line. If Peterka would be traded, he would bring back a good haul for the Sabres. The main point of emphasis is that the Sabres will not accept a trade for future draft picks and prospects. They’re in win mode now, the need NHL ready players.

Why a Trade Makes Sense

If Peterka is genuinely unhappy, moving him makes sense. He’s 23, yes he is part of a organization that has its struggles to say the least. But they drafted him, when the team was rebuilding, and gifted him a spot in the top 6 when he was ready for the NHL. The Sabres have stated publicly they want to bring him back, which would require a long term deal. If Peterka wants to be traded from a team that drafted, developed, and is willing to pay him, do it. The main reason why, your team can get better with a trade involving Peterka.

The Sabres are reportedly looking to add two top 6 forwards. Peterka takes up one of those spots. And while he has been good, making room for a more established player could be a necessary move for the Sabres to make. If you trade Peterka, you could be getting a piece in return to fill that void. Take Marco Rossi for example, he’s a young player similar to Peterka that is buried in the Minnesota lineup. The Sabres have reportedly shown interest.

If you can get a good trade for Peterka, you take it. Pending that he is an unhappy camper in Buffalo. The Sabres would be getting a good players or package in return, and it would free up a spot in the top-six for a player eager to be with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.

Why a Trade Doesn’t Make Sense

A Peterka doesn’t make sense because he’s 23, and a RFA. There is the likelihood Peterka is traded and he explodes onto the scene with another team. He’s going to get better. How high his point totals reach who knows but he’s capable of putting up 70, we know that. As mentioned earlier, the Sabres don’t want to trade Peterka. They may have to, but they don’t want to. He’s homegrown talent who has proven he can produce on the top line and the man advantage. Those players are hard to come by.

Peterka will be expensive, but not compared to obtaining a top 6 forward in the open market. The Sabres will have to massivly overpay to get top end talent in Buffalo. Peterka is due for a hefty contract, but nothing north of $9 million, and that’d be a shock if he got that much. The Sabres need to resign some other players of value as well. Such as Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn. Keeping Peterka at the contract they would give him still gives the Sabres cap flexibility.

Overall, the Sabres don’t want to trade Peterka. But they will shop him around and make the move if the offer is good enough. If Peterka is traded, in a year we’ll be talking about who won the trade. Recent memory has not favored the Sabres with those discussions, but with helpful new management, maybe this scenario will be what turns the tides in western New York.