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. "I don't think it's probably productive or beneficial for me to get into specifics on our players right now. This is the time of year where there's so much going on there's probably a lot of misinformation out there," Adams said. "I thought at the exit meeting with JJ, with me and Lindy separately, both were very positive, productive, honest conversations about things he'd done well and how he progressed and things where he needed to be better.” Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/is-peterka-in-prime-position-for-big-payday] Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-summer-dilemmas-bowen-byram] Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-facing-an-off-season-of-change] Numerous reports have indicated that Adams is fielding calls from other clubs on the 23-year-old winger, who was second on the Sabres in scoring with 68 points. Peterka as a restricted free agent is eligible to be signed to an offer sheet, and his lack of a clear response to whether he has asked to be moved from Buffalo is more indicative that he has than he has not. "I don't want to say yes or no, because I just don't think it's the right time," Adams said. Probably after the draft, when we have other conversations, (we can)get into more specifics on things, but I just don't think it's fair to the player to be honest with you, to really even respond to that. I think it's just better to keep it to the fact that we have a plan, we're working towards helping our team get better. We're willing to do whatever it takes to get better." Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated last week that the Sabres do not want to trade Peterka, but are listening to offers to cover all eventualities. Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo [https://twitter.com/MikeInBuffalo]
