The Buffalo Sabres seem to have some decisions to make at the NHL level, particularly because they haven’t adequately replaced the offensive output of winger JJ Peterka. Peterka, who was the Sabres’ second-leading scorer last season with 68 points, was traded to the Utah Mammoths in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesseling and winger Josh Doan prior to the NHL draft.
GM Kevyn Adams might still be exploring options in free agency or the trade market, but the current focus remains on filling the gap at the AHL level with Rochester. Recently, after signing former NHL player Jake Leschyshyn to a one-year two-way contract, the club announced it will also sign center Trevor Kuntar and defenseman Peter Tischke to one-year AHL contracts.
Other Sabres news includes a forecast on trade costs by Brian Last and the signing of six former Sabres players by other teams.
Kuntar, a 24-year-old Buffalo native and son of longtime minor leaguer Les Kuntar, was the Boston Bruins’ third-round pick in 2020. He played three seasons at Boston College and three seasons with the Providence Bruins, the Bruins’ AHL affiliate. In his first professional season, he scored 10 goals and racked up 113 penalty minutes. Last season, the 6’0″, 201-pound center recorded 12 points in 57 AHL games.
Tischke, 29, spent four years at the University of Wisconsin from 2015 to 2019 and played two seasons with the Rochester Americans (Amerks) and in the ECHL for the Cincinnati Cyclones, with occasional appearances for the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. Last season, the veteran defenseman notched 13 points in 54 games with Jacksonville, the Sabres’ ECHL affiliate.
Fan Take: This news highlights the Sabres’ ongoing challenge to rebuild and maintain competitive depth beyond their NHL roster. For hockey fans, these moves could signal a critical phase in developing future talent and strengthening the team’s pipeline, which is essential for long-term success.
