The Buffalo Sabres started Day 2 of the 2020 NHL Draft by moving up four spots in the second round draft order to select left winger John-Jason Peterka from EHC München in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
In order to select Peterka, the Sabres made a trade with the San Jose Sharks to move from the 38th overall selection to pick No. 34. In addition, Buffalo gave up their fourth round pick (100th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft to complete the deal.
Peterka was seen by many people as a likely first round pick on Tuesday night, but he managed to slip into the second round on Wednesday. The 18-year-old winger spent the entire 2019-20 season playing in the DEL with EHC München, where he scored four goals and added seven assists for 11 points.
Peterka also competed this past winter in the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic for Germany, where he scored four goals and registered six points in seven games. He played extremely well on the Germans' top line along with 2020 first round picks Tim Stützle (Ottawa Senators) and Lukas Reichel (Chicago Blackhawks).
Currently, Peterka is playing on a loan in the Austrian Hockey League with EC Salzburg, where he already has two goals and an assist in just two games.
Peterka does not stand too tall at just 5-foot-11, but he does have a solid frame of 192 pounds. He's a player that has plenty of good speed and power to his game, and he never takes a shift off with his relentless play. He strong on his feet, in the dirty areas of the ice, and he's not afraid to get to the net with and without the puck. The young German also plays well with the puck and has a decent shot to boot.
According to Elite Prospects, Peterka is under contract with EHC München through the 2022-23 season, but that certainly doesn't mean he won't make the jump to North America sooner.
With the Sabres trading away their fourth round pick to the Sharks, Buffalo's next pick will not come until the fifth round at 131st overall.
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