Last June, during the splashy 2024 NHL Draft at Sphere in Las Vegas, Utah was proactive in acquiring a No. 1 defenseman, Mikhail Sergachev, in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning for forward Conor Geekie, defenseman J.J. Moser, a seventh-round pick in 2024 and a second-round pick in 2025.

Utah acquired forward J.J. Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. Peterka, who would’ve been a restricted free agent, agreed to a five-year, $38.5 million contract extension ($7.7 million average annual value) with the Mammoth as part of the trade.

Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan spoke to reporters Thursday afternoon for the first time as members of the Buffalo Sabres organization.