Report: Rangers, Lightning among teams pursuing Peterka

The New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, and Chicago Blackhawks are among the teams that have expressed legitimate interest in acquiring Buffalo Sabres restricted free agent JJ Peterka, reports Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said before March's trade deadline that he's wasn't interested in trading Peterka despite inquiries, but he's accepted it may be inevitable now, Seravalli reports.

Peterka notched 27 goals and 68 points in 77 games this past season. The 23-year-old forward ranked fourth league-wide in Evolving-Hockey's offensive goals above replacement metric in 2024-25, trailing superstars Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrnak, and Connor McDavid.

The Sabres have approximately $23.2 million in cap space to sign Peterka if they don't trade him, per PuckPedia. Peterka can also be offer-sheeted if he doesn't sign with the Sabres by July 1.

Buffalo drafted Peterka 34th overall in 2020. He's managed 150 points in 238 career games.

The Sabres have missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive years.