The Boston Bruins acquired forward JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth on Friday night, June 26, 2026, during the first round of the NHL Draft in exchange for two first-round selections.
Boston sent its No. 23 overall pick in the 2026 draft and a conditional, top-10 protected 2028 first-round draft pick originally belonging to the Florida Panthers to complete the transaction.
Utah subsequently traded the newly acquired No. 23 selection to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night to obtain 23-year-old goaltender Sebastian Cossa.
Peterka's Performance and Contract
Peterka recorded 47 points, consisting of 25 goals and 22 assists, while appearing in all 82 regular-season games for Utah during the 2025-26 season before going scoreless in six playoff games.
The German winger has four seasons remaining on a five-year, $38.5 million contract carrying an average annual value of $7.7 million that he originally signed with Utah last year.
Mammoth General Manager's Perspective
Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong stated that the trade opens up offensive opportunities for younger players while providing future asset flexibility and addressing their goaltending situation.
"We've got some really good, younger players coming and I felt like we had to create a little bit of room for them in some areas and some offensive situations," said Armstrong.
Armstrong indicated that securing two first-round picks for Peterka offered excellent value, helping the team land a targeted goaltender while adding another premium asset for potential future moves.
"And I think JJ was a great player for us, obviously, to get two first rounders for him.
It's a great value.
One first rounder allowed us to go get one of the goaltenders we've been hunting for the last few years, and then I think with the other pick, it allows us to have some ability to make some bigger deals down the stretch with another first rounder in the bank," said Armstrong.
The Mammoth general manager added that Cossa has accumulated sufficient experience in the American Hockey League to comfortably transition into a significant role for Utah next season.
"You look at his work in the [AHL] over the last few years, he's at the point where he's accumulated enough games in the [AHL], and his age is absolutely perfect.
And now he's going to have that opportunity to take that next step," said Armstrong.
Armstrong expressed high confidence that the young goaltender would become a cornerstone player for the franchise moving forward.
"I feel like he was a goaltender that we moved toward, and he has a chance to really step in here and be a huge piece of our club next year," said Armstrong.
Bruins General Manager's Perspective
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney praised Peterka's elite shooting ability and speed, noting that the forward can play both wings and excel in multiple line combinations.
"Speed and skill. He's got an elite shot," said Sweeney.
Sweeney explained that Peterka would enhance Boston's power-play configuration on the elbow while building upon his highly efficient 5-on-5 production from last year.
"He probably gives us another look on the elbow in a power-play situation. His power-play minutes dipped a little bit last year.
His 5-on-5 production has been really good," said Sweeney.
The Bruins executive noted that while Peterka previously drove a significant portion of the offense for a younger Buffalo squad, his role became more complementary within a top-heavy Utah roster.
"In the Buffalo situation, he was asked to drive -- they were a young group -- and he was asked to drive a lot of offense, and he has the ability to do that," said Sweeney.
Sweeney concluded by emphasizing that Peterka brings a multi-dimensional scoring presence that will improve Boston's overall transition play and offensive zone cycles.
"It's adding the ability to score off the rush but also score off the cycle, but have guys that can score in general shooting-wise," said Sweeney.
