Sabres Trade Rumors: Shocking Development Surrounding JJ Peterka

The Buffalo Sabres are now open to listening to offers on JJ Peterka

JJ Peterka has been on the rumor mill for some time now. The burgeoning Buffalo Sabres forward had a career high 68 points this season in a personal best 18:11 ice time per night. The 23-year-old is a restricted free agent, and there is word that he hasn't been happy in Buffalo.

Over the past several weeks, while Peterka has been named as a primary Offer Sheet candidate, and thus, also a potential trade candidate, the Sabres have been steadfast that they have no interest in trading him. Now, in the 32 Thoughts podcast, insider Elliotte Friedman tells us about a shocking development on that front:

Their answer has changed. They are at least now listening on it. And I think that's recent...
I think it's the reality of the situation. Look, people know that Peterka's unhappy and it's believed he would like to go somewhere else. And, I just think that reality is sinking in a little bit. I think the Sabres realize they at least have to look into it. In the last little bit, it's gone from, 'We don't want to do it and we're not doing it,' to 'We don't wanna do it, but we at least have to look into it... If you have a serious offer, we'll look into it.'

No doubt there will be serious offers coming for the RFA. With the bidding wars expected for the impact veteran top-six forwards on the UFA market like Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser and Brad Marchand, being able to land a young star like Peterka with his future and prime still in front of him would be a huge get for a young team on the rise.

Peterka has 56 goals over the last two seasons, and handed out a career-best 41 assists this past year. He was a second-round pick of the Sabres (34th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft.