Buffalo Sabres 75 Bold Predictions for 2023-24: Prediction #6

J.J. Peterka started to figure out the NHL during the Buffalo Sabres push that fell just short of a playoff appearance. What does this season have in store?

J.J. Peterka finished his rookie season with a modest 32 points in 77 games with 12 goals and 20 assists, but he scored just 19 in his first 55 contests for a points percentage of just 0.345. In the final 22 games of the year, Peterka scored 13, good for a percentage of 0.590 per contest. Further, five of Peterka’s 12 goals also came in that frame, showing us that, offensively, he saw some serious growth.

While Peterka won’t have linemate Jack Quinn for up to the first few months of the season, he will have Dylan Cozens and potentially familiar faces like Casey Mittelstadt and/or Victor Olofsson on the second line. Peterka’s added experience, coupled with a productive Cozens, will trend the soon-to-be second year winger’s stock further north.

Buffalo Sabres winger J.J. Peterka could enjoy a strong campaign

Between his first 55 games and final 22 games, Peterka saw a 0.245 increase in points production, and it would be lofty to believe he can repeat that increase (0.590 + 0.245) across an 82-game stretch, barring injury. But, this is a bold prediction piece, so I will say that Peterka will score 0.835 points per game in 2023-24, which across an 82-game stretch, gives us a ceiling of 68 on the season.

Doesn’t sound possible, even for a bold prediction piece, right? Well, let’s break down a few variables, then revisit.

One reason this bold outlook is possible is that the Sabres shouldn’t be as reliant on their top line comprising Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch to score at the same rate they did this past season – 32.6% of all the team’s points. Not only did Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt (if he fills in for Quinn) break out last season, but as mentioned, Peterka also showed he can help put up points down the stretch.

This isn’t to say the Buffalo Sabres projected second line will come close to the first line, but they can close the gap to an extent. Overall, of those 68 points, a good threshold for the second year skater would be 21 goals and 47 assists.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)