The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan. The opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed last month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. With just over a month before training camp, the odds are that an addition like that will have to happen during the season.
Winger Tyler Bertuzzi is a veteran of the Atlantic Division, playing his first seven seasons in Detroit, a short stint with Boston, and one year with Toronto. The 30-year-old is in year two of a four-year, $22 million contract with Chicago, and scored over 20 goals for the second season in a row last season, but the Hawks attempt to build a veteran support group around wunderkind Connor Bedard was a dramatic failure.
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Bertuzzi is one of the few forwards on the Chicago roster that has term remaining, and by the time the Hawks are ready to contend for a playoff spot, he will be past his prime. GM Kyle Davidson or his successor may be looking at a complete reset if the club continues to struggle and could be willing to move out the veteran winger while he still can garner a good return, but his 10-team no trade clause may complicate matters.
What Would It Cost?
Adams would definitely be attracted by a veteran with years remaining on his deal, especially with the cap going up significantly and Bertuzzi locked in at a $5.5 million AAV. The Hawks are loaded with draft capital, so it is likely that they would prefer a player with some NHL experience or a prospect close to being ready to make the jump. That would mean names like Zach Benson, Devon Levi, Noah Ostlund, or Konsta Helenius.
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