Despite a high price JJ Peterka would be a good addition for the Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have been busy over the last week. Not only did Kyle Davidson sign Ryan Donato to a contract extension, but Chicago traded for Andre Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken. With the NHL Draft later this week, teams might be winding down on making too many more moves, but Chicago should try to pull off one more trade before the draft.

Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka just finished the final year of his entry-level contract. The 23-year-old forward is looking for a new contract and is supposedly being shopped heavily by the Sabres.

According to the Fourth Period, the Blackhawks are one of a handful of teams interested in Peterka, along with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Sabres may not be interested in too many futures or young prospects, but the Blackhawks may have the pieces to get a deal done. Forward Lukas Reichel and defenseman Connor Murphy are entering the final year of their respective contracts.

Murphy, a veteran defensive defenseman, would be a great addition to the Sabres' blue line. As for Reichel, the Blackhawks have not gotten the most out of him over the past few years, but Buffalo could offer the fresh start he needs.

Pairing those two NHL players with the Blackhawks' second first-round pick at the 2025 NHL Draft could be enough to entice the Sabres to trade Peterka. I have seen some hypothetical trade packages including the Blackhawks' third overall pick in the deal, but that seems like an overpay.

JJ Peterka would be a welcome addition to the Blackhawks.

Each year, JJ Peterka has gotten better with the Buffalo Sabres. Last season in 77 games, Peterka registered 27 goals and 68 points; the year prior, he had 28 goals and 50 points in 82 games. Peterka would be the perfect top-six winger the Blackhawks are looking for, and a trade for the 23-year-old would fit the Blackhawks' timeline.

Trading for guys looking for a fresh start, like Burakovsky, works, but the addition of a player like Peterka would have a greater impact on the future of the Blackhawks. Peterka could be one of the missing pieces of the Blackhawks' future core, and they could afford to pay him as such this summer.