While the Sabres are having a tough season, one major bright spot has been the emergence of JJ Peterka.
It is not a secret that the Buffalo Sabres have had a tough 2023-24 season. After just missing out on the postseason last year, the expectation was that they would take another step forward this campaign and finally snap their 12-year playoff drought. However, as it stands right now, the chances of that occurring are slim.
Although this is the case, JJ Peterka has been a massive bright spot for the club this campaign. After an impressive first full season in 2022-23 (12 goals and 32 points in 77 games), the 22-year-old has taken his game to another level in 2023-24. In 49 games, he has a team-leading 18 goals and is tied with Alex Tuch for third on the team with 34 points.
Peterka is emerging into a high-impact player right before our eyes, and he only seems to be getting better as the season rolls on. In the Sabres' 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 27, he scored two goals. With that, he also has five goals and two assists over his last five games.
When noting that the Sabres landed Peterka with the 34th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, it is already fair to say that he has been a home run of a pick for them. If he continues to trend in this direction with his play, he could be a massive part of the team's core for many more years to come.
Let's now see how long he can keep his dominant stretch of play up from here.
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