The Minnesota Wild’s pursuit of JJ Peterka didn’t pan out, as the Buffalo Sabres traded him to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Dean, with Utah quickly signing Peterka to a five-year, $7.7 million AAV contract. The Wild’s offer, centered around forward Marco Rossi, was evidently less appealing to Buffalo.
Both players, at 23 years old and coming off strong 2024-25 seasons—Peterka with 27 goals and 68 points in 77 games, Rossi with 24 goals and 60 points in 82 games—are at similar career stages as restricted free agents. Buffalo’s decision to go with Utah’s package suggests they valued Kesselring’s defensive upside or Dean’s potential over Rossi’s comparable production.
With Peterka off the board, the Wild need to pivot. They’re likely seeking a top-six forward to bolster their offense, given their interest in a player of Peterka’s caliber. Potential trade targets could include:
– Trevor Zegras (Anaheim Ducks): A young, skilled forward with playmaking ability, though his defensive game and Anaheim’s asking price could complicate things.
– Cole Perfetti (Winnipeg Jets): A 23-year-old RFA with upside, potentially available if Winnipeg reshuffles their forward group.
– Arthur Kaliyev (Los Angeles Kings): A scoring winger who might be a cheaper option, though his role has been limited in LA.
The Wild could also revisit their roster, potentially packaging Rossi or other assets like prospects or picks to chase a similar high-upside forward. Their cap situation and prospect pool will dictate how aggressive they can be. If you want me to dig into specific players or analyze trade scenarios further, let me know.
Minnesota Wild Trade Freddy Gaudreau to Seattle for Draft Pick
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild have sent center Freddy Gaudreau to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick.
Wild GM Bill Guerin Addresses Marco Rossi Trade Rumors: ‘We’re Not Desperate to Move Him’
ST. PAUL, Minn. – With July 1 fast approaching, just eight days away, the Minnesota Wild are working to resolve the situation with Marco Rossi before he becomes eligible to sign an offer sheet with another team. General Manager Bill Guerin dismissed rumors, stating, “The narrative that we’re dying to trade him is completely untrue.”
Leave a Reply