Boston Bruins
· 2026-06-30
The Boston Bruins traded their lone first-round selection to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for forward JJ Peterka.
The Bruins acquired Peterka in exchange for two first-round picks: the 23rd overall selection in 2026 and a 2028 first-round pick.
Peterka, a 24-year-old German forward, played all 82 games during the 2025-2026 season with Utah, scoring 25 goals and adding 22 assists with a +6 rating.
The Bruins prioritized adding NHL talent over waiting for another first-round prospect to develop, as they currently stand 5th in the Eastern Conference with a 45-27 record, on a W2 streak.
And they recently lost 1-4 vs Buffalo Sabres on 2026-05-01.
The Detroit Red Wings ultimately used the 23rd overall pick to select forward J.P. Hurlbert after acquiring the selection from Utah in exchange for goaltender Sebastian Cossa.
The Bruins could have entered this year’s draft with two first-round selections if the Toronto Maple Leafs had not gotten lucky in the lottery.
But with a fanbase as hungry for success as Boston’s, there was no time to waste, so they made the move to acquire Peterka.
The forward spent four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, where he developed into one of the club’s most consistent young offensive players.
He appeared in 238 regular-season games, recording 67 goals and 92 assists for 159 points.
So the Bruins are hoping Peterka can bring this consistency to their lineup.
The Bruins clearly prioritized adding NHL talent over waiting for another first-round prospect to develop.
Peterka is only 24 years old and has already established himself as a reliable forward, making him a player who can contribute to the system right now.
While giving up a first-round pick is a high price, adding a proven scorer instead of waiting several years for a prospect to reach the NHL appears to be a reasonable move for the upcoming season for the Bruins.