A bit of late-night NHL business fulfilled one of the league’s longest-running expectations — that the Utah Mammoth would take a big swing. Utah acquired budding star JJ Peterka from Buffalo Wednesday night in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. At face value, it’s a massive win for Utah, acquiring the most exciting player in the deal in Peterka, a 23-year-old German forward who scored 68 points in 77 games last season. Utah Trade Grade: A Utah, formerly the Arizona Coyotes, spent what felt like a generation in perpetual rebuild mode. That was a result of nonstop wheel spinning while the former Arizona Coyotes played small ball as a result of a nightmarish financial situation. It ultimately resulted in the Coyotes being able to collect assets for years, and now they (as Utah) can start cashing those in. In this case, Utah acquired a premium player without giving up premium assets. In terms of actual on-ice value, Peterka is a smooth playmaker who can slot in either at center oRead More
Trade grades: Mammoth win for Utah
