The Buffalo Sabres made a bold move last June when they traded promising winger JJ Peterka to Utah. At the time, it raised eyebrows - not because of Peterka’s performance, but because of what it signaled.
The Sabres, it seems, weren’t ready to commit long-term dollars to the young forward. Utah was.
Peterka got his extension, and the Sabres got a pair of players they believed could help shape their future.
Buffalo’s primary target in the deal was defenseman Michael Kesselring, a big, right-shot blueliner with the kind of size and reach that teams covet. The Sabres envisioned him as a potential partner for one of their cornerstone defensemen - either Bowen Byram or Owen Power. But the other piece of the deal, and the one making headlines now, was 23-year-old winger Josh Doan.
Yes, that Josh Doan - the son of longtime Coyotes (now Utah) icon Shane Doan. After a tough second NHL season in Salt Lake City, where he struggled to find his rhythm, Doan has found new life in Buffalo. And now, he’s found a long-term home.
On Wednesday, the Sabres announced they’ve signed Doan to a seven-year, $48.65 million extension. It’s a major vote of confidence in a player who’s made the most of his opportunity in Buffalo’s top six.
Through 49 games, Doan has racked up 35 points - 15 goals and 20 assists - and has shown he’s more than just a legacy name. He’s a legit contributor on a team that’s building toward something bigger.
Sabres GM Jarmo Kekäläinen didn’t hold back in praising Doan’s impact.
“Josh is a player that impacts the team both on and off the ice,” Kekäläinen said in a statement. “He works hard, is competitive and skilled, and his game is going to continue to develop. We believe he will be a core piece of this team moving forward, and I am excited to have him as a Buffalo Sabre long term.”
It’s easy to see why the Sabres are all-in. Doan brings a blend of grit, hockey IQ, and offensive upside that fits perfectly with the direction this team is heading.
He’s not just filling a role - he’s earning one. And in a league where young talent needs to be locked in early, Buffalo wasted no time making sure Doan is part of their long-term plans.
As for Kesselring, the jury’s still out. He’s been limited by injuries - four separate stints on the shelf - and hasn’t registered a point in his 17 appearances.
But the Sabres didn’t just make this trade for the now. They saw pieces they believed could grow into something more.
Right now, it’s Doan who’s delivering on that promise. And with this new deal, the Sabres are betting big that he’ll keep doing just that.