The Chicago Blackhawks have numerous trade targets that make sense for them. The 2025 NHL Draft isn’t producing NHL-ready players out of the gate, and Chicago may not consider pursuing the big-money free agents due to its place in the rebuild. 

That leaves trades as the next option to improve the roster headed into next season. One target that made sense for the Chicago Blackhawks, JJ Peterka, is now off the board. 

The Buffalo Sabres traded Peterka to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan. Buffalo is getting two good players with upside, but Utah is getting a blossoming star who also happens to be young. 

Peterka, 23, is a forward who just had a breakout season on a struggling Sabres team. He scored 27 goals with 41 assists for 68 points in 77 games. He is blossoming into a legitimate star in the NHL. With him on the block, every team was interested. 

Peterka would have looked nice alongside talented players like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, but that can’t be the case anymore. Instead, he will join forces with Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller, and a Mammoth team ready to take a step in the standings. 

This isn’t, however, the end of the young talent line on the trade block in the NHL. Kyle Davidson and his staff have options to consider; the first big domino is just off the board. As the draft gets closer, moves will continue to be made across the league. 

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