We are officially in the final stretch of the NHL trade deadline. A deadline where the Penguins have to be making moves. These moves, of course, will look different than they have in the past. They will not be looking for rentals. They will not be looking to move futures for older established players like they have for about the past 15 years. They will be sellers of their pending UFA’s and perhaps big ticket items like Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson. They could also be buyers if they find the right kind of younger team controlled players they are looking for.
One of the potential fits for these younger team controlled players for Dubas and the Penguins might be found a short drive away in Buffalo. The Sabres have been a wretched franchise during the Terry Pegula era. They have failed to make the playoffs in every single season he has owned the team since 2011. They are pitied around the league. Players are very aware of their ineptitude, and it has been an issue attracting established talent to play for them. You can feel the desperation of their club and how they want to badly turn the corner. For this reason, you may find them in a position where they would be willing to move promising talent for established talent.
Currently, the Rochester Americans are the top team in the entire AHL. This is being fueled by some of the players the Sabres might be willing to move. This is in addition to some of the recently graduated Amerks who have been playing for the Sabres. Leading the way would be JJ Peterka. A player I really like quite a bit. I like him the same way I liked Jake Guentzel when he was making his way up to top six regular for the Penguins.
Perhaps where there is smoke there is fire, per Elliotte Friedman
I’ve heard Pittsburgh has asked about some of Buffalo’s young players. Like Peterka, that’s a big price if it ever happens. But that guy has got Pittsburgh written all over him. I think they’ve been talking, I think they’ve asked buffalo periodically this year about some of their younger guys, the ahl guys that look like they are going to be players, I continue to think that that’s what they are looking for.
I think Dubas being in talks with Buffalo is good. They are a smart target. As mentioned above, they are desperate and they want results. They may be willing to forgo promising talent for somebody like Rakell. You offer Rakell and a 1st and you might get yourself in that Peterka ballpark. I would be totally in favor of taking a huge swing at Peterka. He will be entering his year 23 season in October with three NHL seasons under his belt. He has grown into a legit top six player and has done so in one of the most tumultuous playing environments in hockey. Here are how those seasons have looked per Hockey-Reference:
You would have to pony up to land Peterka. I do think those are the worthy swings you take with the futures the Penguins have been building up. This kind of trade would be how you retool on the fly.
While Peterka is the swing for the fence target there are some other options the Sabres have like recent 2024 14th overall pick, Konsta Helenius. He is only 18 years old and he is playing in the AHL full-time. He has nine goals and 26 points in 48 games. I think those are solid numbers for a kid playing in a league where there is not a normal path for 18 year olds to play in (thank you CHL transfer agreement).
Juri Kulich, Jack Quinn, and Isak Rosen are other options to think about. Point being, the Sabres are littered with the kinds of players Dubas is looking to add by spending assets. I do think there’s something to be had here. This is made easier if the Sabres are looking to add someone like Rickard Rakell. It also depends on their GM Kevyn Adams being willing to make moves.
The Sabres are a team I would target if I were Dubas and I hope he does.
Thanks for reading!
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