Peterka Joins Bruins in Significant Trade
The Boston Bruins have acquired forward JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth. The trade, which took place on Friday, involved Boston sending the No. 23 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional first-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft to Utah. The 2028 pick was originally from the Florida Panthers and is top-10 protected.
Peterka, a 24-year-old left-shot forward, played his first season with the Mammoth after being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on June 26, 2025. During the past season, he recorded 47 points, including 25 goals and 22 assists, across 82 games. He averaged 15:59 of ice time per appearance and achieved a plus-6 rating.
The forward did not register any points in six Stanley Cup Playoff games, where the Mammoth were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round. Peterka has four seasons remaining on a five-year contract with an average annual value of $7.7 million.
Mammoth’s Strategic Moves and Future Outlook
Following the trade, the Mammoth made another move, sending the No. 23 pick they acquired from Boston to the Detroit Red Wings. In return, Utah received goaltender Sebastian Cossa. Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong indicated that the trade for Peterka provided flexibility and an opportunity for younger players.
Armstrong noted that acquiring two first-round picks for Peterka offered significant value. One of these picks allowed the team to secure Cossa, a goaltender they had been pursuing. The other first-rounder provides the Mammoth with additional assets for potential future deals. Cossa, a 23-year-old, posted a 2.33 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage with five shutouts in 39 games for Grand Rapids in the American Hockey League this season. He is eligible to become a restricted free agent on July 1.
The Mammoth qualified for the playoffs in their second season as a franchise, finishing as the first wild card from the Western Conference. They were eliminated in six games by the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round.
Bruins Aim for Speed and Skill
Don Sweeney, general manager for the Bruins, highlighted Peterka’s speed and skill, noting his elite shot. Sweeney believes Peterka could offer a different option on the power play and has shown strong 5-on-5 production. Peterka is capable of playing both wings and could complement various types of centers, helping to drive a line or enhance existing offensive situations.
The Bruins have been seeking to improve their speed and skill on the wing this offseason, and Peterka is seen as a key acquisition to address this need. He could potentially fill the role of the No. 2 right wing behind David Pastrnak. This acquisition may also influence decisions regarding the re-signing of Viktor Arvidsson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Peterka was originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (No. 34) of the 2020 NHL Draft. Throughout his career with the Sabres and Mammoth, he has accumulated 197 points, including 92 goals and 105 assists, in 320 regular-season games. The Bruins finished as the first wild card from the Eastern Conference this season and were eliminated by the Sabres in six games in the first round.
Sweeney had previously acknowledged that trading the 2026 No. 23 pick was a consideration. The 2028 first-rounder, which Boston acquired in the Brad Marchand trade, could be a later pick given the Florida Panthers’ recent roster changes, including the addition of Brady Tkachuk.
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Source: nhl.com
