Oilers Should Trade for Talented Forward Right Now
EDMONTON – Strike while the iron is hot.
This saying could work out well for a lucky NHL team this offseason, and the Edmonton Oilers would be smart to explore a potential deal for an RFA who seems dissatisfied with their current situation.
JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres, just 23 years old, would be a fantastic addition to the Oilers. His knack for scoring, his natural drive towards the net, and the fact that he might be available make him an ideal candidate for Edmonton.
Here’s why the Oilers should act fast to bring in the young German forward.
Peterka’s Scoring Instinct
NHL players and coaches will tell you the key to scoring is simply getting to the net. Peterka does this almost instinctively.
As his teammate Peyton Krebs explained to The Score, Peterka is always looking to make a play and then charge to the net: “Every time he has the puck, he’s going to make a play and then get to the net. A lot of guys take it easy sometimes, but not JJ.”
Peterka’s Best Season Yet
Peterka just had the best year of his young career. With over 200 NHL games under his belt, he’s scored 28 and 27 goals in the past two seasons.
This year, he notched 68 points in 77 games for the Sabres, finishing second in team scoring behind Tage Thompson’s 72 points. Peterka also played on Buffalo’s top power-play unit, averaging nearly three minutes per game with the man advantage.
Sabres Changing Their Tune
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Sabres’ stance on Peterka has shifted. On his 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman shared that Buffalo’s previous firm position on keeping Peterka might be softening.
“I’ve said on this podcast and in my radio interviews several times, the Sabres have indicated that they do not want to trade JJ Peterka… their answer has changed,” Friedman said. “People know Peterka’s unhappy, and it’s believed he would like to go somewhere else.”
Opportunity for the Oilers
Peterka is coming off his three-year entry-level contract and is now an RFA, currently without a deal. Given the situation, this could be the perfect time for the Oilers to make a move.
With the Sabres’ lack of leverage—thanks to Peterka’s apparent unhappiness—the Oilers could potentially secure a good deal by offering some draft picks or a player with term left on their contract. This approach would be far more practical than trying to land Peterka via an offer sheet.
Peterka’s style and offensive abilities make him a great fit for Edmonton. And with fellow German Leon Draisaitl already on the team, the chemistry could be electric.
There’s still time for the Oilers to make this move before this opportunity slips away.
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