Calgary Flames offer sheet targets: JJ Peterka

JJ Peterka’s production

Peterka was a second-round pick by the Sabres in 2020, and it’s safe to say he was a steal. His first full season in the NHL was during the 2022–23 season, where he put up a respectable 12 goals and 32 points in 77 games. Since his rookie season, Peterka’s production has been improving, as this season he recorded a career high in points, finishing with 68 in 77 games. Peterka finished second on the Sabres in scoring, tied with defenceman Rasmus Dahlin and finishing just four points behind Tage Thompson’s total of 72.

Peterka has shown immense growth throughout his last three seasons in the league. Following his current trajectory, Peterka can very well turn into a 75–80 point scorer next season.

Fit with the Flames

So why would it potentially make sense for the Flames to take a run at Peterka? Well, there’s the obvious reason for him fitting with the team’s current timeline: he’s 23 years old. Flames General Manager Craig Conroy has stated ever since this rebuild started that he’s looking to add “age-appropriate” players who will be a part of the team’s future.

Adding Peterka would also give the Flames’ roster a much-needed offensive boost. The Flames were among the lowest-scoring teams in the NHL this season and often struggled with five-on-five offence. Adding Peterka, who’s a pure goal scorer, would undoubtedly address an aspect that the team has heavily struggled with.

The issue is that Peterka isn’t a centre, a position the Flames are very thin at right now. However, he would certainly provide offensive support on the wing, where he excels the most. Calgary is pretty jammed up on the wing, and adding Peterka would mean that the team would ideally have to subtract someone from their roster.

Could Peterka be a real option for the Flames?

While the Flames have certainly been in the offer sheet rumour mill, would Peterka be a real option for them?

For starters, Calgary would have to offer Peterka an AAV that would be substantial enough for him to sign. Based on his production so far, I’d say it would take about $7–$7.5M for Peterka to be persuaded. Referencing back to the compensation chart, the Flames would have to give up a first, second, and third-round pick to the Sabres if he successfully signed.

While Peterka fits the Flames timeline, I’m not sure it would make any sense for the Flames to give up those types of assets. If Peterka was a true centre, then maybe, however, the 2026 draft class is projected to be quite good. Note that in any offer sheet scenario, the team that offers the contract would have to forfeit its own picks, not another team’s.

It’s likely in the best interest of the Flames to keep their own 2026 first in case it ends up being high, as they have the potential to draft a franchise-changing player with it. As for Buffalo, they’re projected to have about $21M in cap space this offseason, and Peterka is their only major RFA besides Bowen Byram.

Therefore, if any team were to offer sheet Peterka, the Sabres would likely match it with ease, unless it’s an absurd amount. It makes more sense for the Flames to keep loading up on assets and to continue building through the draft.