Off-Ice disaster: The real reason why JJ Peterka was traded to the Utah Mammoth has been revealed
Photo credit: Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers
The real reason why
John-Jason
Peterka was traded has been revealed, and it appears to be due to an off-ice disaster.
And to think that the Blackhawks submitted a huge trade offer to the Sabres involving their 3rd overall pick, wow.
Although his name had been included in plenty of rumors in the past months, many fans were surprised to learn that the Buffalo Sabres traded the promising young forward JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth. In return, the Sabres acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. At first glance, the move seemed like a strategic hockey decision, but it turns out the trade was motivated by deeper issues.
A source close to the organization revealed what really led to the deal, pointing directly to issues with Peterka's behavior and attitude off the ice.
According to Craig Rivet and Andrew Peters of After the Whistle podcast, Peterka's focus shifted away from hockey in the season.
In their own words, he allegedly was more concerned about serving drinks behind a bar at 4:00 a.m.
"You know, this is a culture move for the team. And, you know, JJ, there was a lot of attention around him right now, and there was a big attitude shift in JJ. And I like JJ Peterka. I liked his attitude. I'm not going to go and, now that he's been traded, start taking shots.
But he was more concerned about serving drinks behind a bar at 4:00 in the morning. That's what this comes down to. And I don't want to sit here, I've never said anything about this, kept my mouth shut, but you know what? You've got one of your star young players who is off the ice making poor decisions, okay?
When you need this guy to be at his very best every single night in order to win games, he's not that guy. Whether that's a maturity thing or whatever else, I just know that he liked to have fun. And listen, a lot of these guys like to have fun.
They're in the NHL. They're young. They're all making lots of money. But at the same time, that's something that needs to change here. That needs to change. And I'm gonna say it, I don't think the Sabres brass were very happy hearing, learning, and understanding what JJ was doing behind the scenes.
And I'm sure that played a part in what's going on. I'm sure it played a part because JJ didn't want to be here. I'm sure it played a part because, when he got here from Germany, he was a very respectful young man. And three or four years later, this guy thinks he owns the world.
His attitude changed, his cockiness changed, and all of that started to change. And guess what? The Sabres saw it. And if you think you're gonna win with guys like that, guys who are all about "me, me, me," then you're wrong, man."
But he was more concerned about serving drinks behind a bar at 4:00 in the morning. That's what this comes down to. And I don't want to sit here, I've never said anything about this, kept my mouth shut, but you know what? You've got one of your star young players who is off the ice making poor decisions, okay?
When you need this guy to be at his very best every single night in order to win games, he's not that guy. Whether that's a maturity thing or whatever else, I just know that he liked to have fun. And listen, a lot of these guys like to have fun.
They're in the NHL. They're young. They're all making lots of money. But at the same time, that's something that needs to change here. That needs to change. And I'm gonna say it, I don't think the Sabres brass were very happy hearing, learning, and understanding what JJ was doing behind the scenes.
And I'm sure that played a part in what's going on. I'm sure it played a part because JJ didn't want to be here. I'm sure it played a part because, when he got here from Germany, he was a very respectful young man. And three or four years later, this guy thinks he owns the world.
His attitude changed, his cockiness changed, and all of that started to change. And guess what? The Sabres saw it. And if you think you're gonna win with guys like that, guys who are all about "me, me, me," then you're wrong, man."
It's a surprising and disappointing twist for another player who could have played an important role for the Sabres in the coming years.
Previously on HawksInsider
| POLL | ||
JUIN 27 | 478 ANSWERS Off-Ice disaster: The real reason why JJ Peterka was traded to the Utah Mammoth has been revealed Do you think the Buffalo Sabres made a mistake by trading JJ Peterka? | ||
| Yes | 256 | 53.6 % |
| No | 222 | 46.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
