Details Revealed of Maple Leafs’ Offer for JJ Peterka That Came Up Short

It was the Utah Mammoth that won the JJ Peterka Sweepstakes, trading for the restricted free agent from the Buffalo Sabres a week and a half ago. But insider Frank Seravalli, speaking on The Fan 590 in Toronto, revealed how the Toronto Maple Leafs made their best attempt at landing the young, burgeoning star, but came up short.

The Maple Leafs, I believe, tried to chase down JJ Peterka in Buffalo. That's where the Brandon Carlo connection came in as Buffalo was looking for a right shot defenseman.

Sabres' GM Kevyn Adams eventually got his right-shot D-man in a return for Peterka, landing Michael Kesselring, along with forward Josh Doan from Utah.

One could certainly argue that Carlo is far more accomplished and proven as a solid defensive blueliner over his nine NHL seasons compared to Kesselring in his 2+ years. But the latter is three years younger and eminently more affordable, with a $1.4 million cap hit, vs. Carlo's $4.1 million for two more seasons. Kesselring will be a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 campaign.

In the meantime, Toronto will have to look elsewhere for some top-six help, while Peterka is settled in with the Mammoth for a while, having signed a five-year extension ($7.7 million AAV) as part of the trade.

Peterka registered a career-high 68 points on 27 goals and 41 assists in 77 games last season with Buffalo.