Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Oilers Facing Rare Opportunity to Add Star German Winger for Leon Draisaitl Through an Offer Sheet

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated May 25, 2025 2:51 PM ET

The Oilers have a chance to submit an offer sheet this summer for Sabres' JJ Peterka, which would allow Leon Draisaitl to have a fellow German to play with.

The Edmonton Oilers will head into the offseason with some cap room, and with the expected cap increases over the next few seasons, they are well-positioned to make some real moves as they attempt to stay in the playoff mix for years to come.

While certain marquee-level unrestricted free agents will hit the market on July 1, such as Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Sam Bennett, being some examples, the Oilers can actually do a better job filling holes by shopping for restricted free agents through an offer sheet.

A target for an RFA is Buffalo Sabres winger JJ Peterka. The 23-year-old had his breakout season in 2023-24, scoring 27 goals and adding 41 assists for a career-best 68 points.

That came after his good 2022-23 season, when he scored 28 goals and accumulated 50 points. Peterka is quickly becoming a legitimate top-six goal-scorer and could be a coming-out party for Edmonton's offense.

If Edmonton can sign him on an offer sheet, he would be an enormous signing, especially with the Oilers' need for more scoring oomph on the wings.

Leon Draisaitl would work wonders with a fellow German like Peterka

He can fit perfectly on the Oilers' second line but also can fill either wing, and therefore is a first-line potential if not alongside one of their existing stars like Connor McDavid or fellow German superstar Leon Draisaitl. His skill set would be perfectly suited to the power play.

Buffalo can be said to face cap constraints this offseason, with several of its other best RFAs in need of new contracts, including Bowen Byram, Jack Quinn, Ryan McLeod, and Jacob Bernard-Docker.

That would place Peterka in easier reach of a team like Edmonton. There were trade rumors on Peterka, too, leading up to the deadline, so the Oilers can go that route, too.

Whether through an offer sheet or a trade, having Peterka on the team would be a good move for an Oilers team seeking more offense off the puck.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: