Today the Sabres dealt RFA-to-be and hot commodity J.J. Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. A former second-round pick (37th overall), Doan is the son of longtime NHL standout Shane Doan. Kesselring, a 6’5” 215-pound right-shot defenseman, is both physical (five fights last season) and productive (29 points).
He’s likely a replacement for Sabres RFA defender Bowen Byram, also rumored to be in play.
For me, the real intrigue centers on Peterka, a 23-year-old forward and rising star who was rumored to be coveted by the Rangers.