The New York Rangers have plans to upgrade their roster this summer so that new head coach Mike Sullivan has a squad he can work with and bring back to elite form. Thus far they've offloaded Chris Kreider and taken care of some restricted free agents, but there's serious business left to be done. The NHL Draft gets underway Friday, and as of now the team doesn't have a first round draft pick. That means the team will have to try and improve their group either through free agency or the trade market, and one rumored option is now off the board.
We have acquired JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan.
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) June 26, 2025
Peterka has been signed to a 5-year deal. pic.twitter.com/zvA3k1gUsN
Hearing the JJ Peterka deal to Utah is for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 26, 2025
Three players, no picks.
Peterka's 5-year deal with a $7.7 million AAV (per source) gives him the second-highest AAV on the Mammoth behind Mikhail Sergachev ($8.5M)
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 26, 2025
Peterka became a desirable piece to acquire because he just wrapped up a campaign in which posted 27 goals, 41 assists, and 68 points in 77 games played. This year's output was an increase from the year prior in which he scored 28 goals, assisted on 22 others, and compiled 50 points in 82 games played.
The now former Buffalo Sabre turned 23 in January, and he joins a Utah Mammoth squad that will look to take the Western Conference by storm next season. The return of just Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan is quite surprising, and will likely have most fans shaking their heads and asking why their team wasn't involved.
I like Michael Kesselring to solidify Buffalo's top four (looked good up the lineup when Utah dealt with injuries) and Josh Doan has had some strong impacts. But does feel a bit light for Peterka pic.twitter.com/mcQwssvwVH
— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) June 26, 2025
The good thing for the Rangers is that they still have a player like Will Cuylle on the squad, someone who is on a similar trajectory to Peterka.
Not trading for Peterka may result in the Rangers giving their own guy an increase role next season, and that may end up being quite a cost effective decision that allows them to spend on other areas of the roster.
The Rangers still have some time to reassess the market before the start of the draft, and maybe this trade gets the market going to the point where it's easier for the team to acquire a pick they can use in round one.