After watching teams around them make major moves already in the NHL's 2025 off-season, the Buffalo Sabres made a blockbuster deal of their own late Wednesday night, sending disgruntled winger J.J. Peterka to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for young winger Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesserling. And immediately after Peterka was acquired by Utah, he signed a five-year contract extensipn with an average annual payday of $7.7 million. That's something Peterka wouldn't do with the Sabres, and that's an unfortunate comment on where Buffalo is at as an organization right now.

At first glance, the deal seems fairly underwhelming for the Sabres. Kesserling is a valuable right-shot defenseman, and he'll help out Buffalo in terms of defensive depth. Kesserling also is under contract for next season at a very reasonable $1.4 million. But the 25-year-old is entering his third full NHl season, and he has modest career highs of seven goals and 29 points.

Meanwhile, Doan -- drafted 37th overall in 2021 -- is the key piece of the puzzle from the Sabres' perspective. The 23-year-old posted a modest seven goals and 19 points in 51 regular-season games this past year, at a cost of only $925,000.  Doan is the son of former NHL star power forward Shane Doan, and Wednesday's trade will actually bring him physically closer to Shane Doan, as Shane currently works for the Toronto Maple Leafs as special advisor to GM Brad Treliving.

That said, people will be watching what Sabres GM Kevyn Adams does with the cap space he would've used to sign Peterka to a contract extension. Buffalo has $20.8 million in cap space, and if Adams chooses not to spend the majority of it to put together a team that will end the Sabres' 14-year streak of no Stanley Cup appearances, this Peterka trade will be seen as a move that ultimately puts money in Buffalo ownership's pocketbook.

In addition, Adams will also have to explain to Sabres fans why Peterka was so unwillng to sign an extension with Buffalo, while it took Peterka only a hot minute to come to terms with the Mammoth on a new deal. Peterka's choices only lend credence to the notion he wanted out of  the Sabres organization, and that doesn't reflect well on Adams & Co.

Adams Evasive On Peterka's Ask To Be Traded Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams and Assistant GM Jerry Forton met with the media prior to the NHL Draft at Highmark Stadium on Tuesday, and while some questions were in connection to some of the prospects who could be available with their ninth overall pick, Adams was asked for an update on negotiations with restricted free agent winger JJ Peterka and whether he had asked for a trade. 

In the end, this trade will be judged by two main areas: first, the trade will be judged by the other moves Adams makes this summer. If this is the only trade he makes, you'll have to consider the Peterka move a massive disappointment and a money grab for Sabres ownership. But if Adams uses the cap space he has wisely, this move will be seen in a much more positive light.

The other area you have to consider when judging this swap is the impact the two new Sabres will have. Ideally, Kesserling develops into a second 'D' pair component. And as for Doan, we shouldn't be projecting him to have the same career as his father had. He's still finding his footing at the NHL level, and if he continues developing into an above-average player at both ends of the ice, the Sabres will be thrilled.

Regardless, as it currently stands, Utah got the best player in the deal. Peterka has posted a combined 55 goals and 118 points in the past two seasons, and he's still only 23 years old.  The Mammoth didn't have any problem signing him to a lucrative extension, and Utah didn't have to give up the sun and moon to acquire him.

Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Dallas Stars The NHL's off-season is upon us, and there are going to be many moves made on the trade and free-agent fronts. And in this THN.com Sabres site exclusive series, we're breaking down potential trade partners for Buffalo. 

The Sabres, on the other hand, have to be selling this trade as something that will make Buffalo better in the long term. IF Doan devlops into a first-or-second-line winger, he'll be a key component for the long haul in Buffalo. And if Adams uses the cap space he freed up in this deal by acquiring more veteran knowhow, Sabres fans will be jazzed.

As always, time will tell who won this transaction. But at long last, Adams had to make a move with Peterka, who obviously wanted out. The Sabres landed two useful players in return for Peterka, but we don't know what the competitive celing for them is right now. And we'll see if Utah ultimately regrets spending so much money to lock up a young player who has yet to play four full NHL seasons.