JJ Peterka

Peterka won't be an option to be called up by the Sabres ahead of Tuesday's game against Tampa Bay as a result. He is day-to-day due to the upper-body ailment and has been asymptomatic following his positive COVID test result. 

Peterka has four goals and 20 points in 23 AHL games. He might make his NHL debut during this stint.

Peterka had a productive preseason, but he will start the 2021-22 campaign in the minors. However, it wouldn't be a surprise if he found his way back to the NHL at some point this year. 

The 19-year-old has played his two previous seasons in the German League, playing with men, so he is further advanced than most that age who are in junior or college hockey. “He absorbs what’s in front of him, whether that be the opposition, his linemate, information from the coaches,” Buffalo coach Don Granato said prior to the preseason finale Saturday where Peterka scored in a 3-1 win over Detroit. “He internalizes it and he goes to work at it. He’s very advanced in that regard but he’s still young. I say all this and that is very exciting but you also do see his age in there as well. I’d say for his age, he’s advanced. “Now, is he advanced enough to be a full-time NHL player?” That is the question the Sabres need to answer for the 34th overall pick in the 2020 Draft.