Bruins Potential Lineup After JJ Peterka Trade originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Bruins have reportedly made a draft-day trade with the Utah Mammoth to acquire second-line winger JJ Peterka in exchange for two first-round draft picks, including the No. 23 overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft being held on Friday night.
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Peterka was drafted No. 34 overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. Two years later, he played 77 games for the Buffalo Sabres. In the three years since becoming a top-six forward, the now 24-year-old has averaged 27 goals per year.
He will immediately walk into a role as a top-six forward for the Bruins.
With the addition of Peterka in Boston, here is a look at what the lineup could look like for the Bruins in 2026-27.
Marat Khusnutdinov – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak
JJ Peterka – Elias Lindholm – Morgan Geekie
James Hagens – Fraser Minten – Casey Mittlestadt
Tanner Jeannot – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic
Fans would love to see Viktor Arvidsson in the mix, but after accepting Peterka and his more than $7.5 million cap hit, it is less likely the team can keep the unrestricted free agent Arvidsson.
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Regardless, this is a lineup chock full of young talent from top to bottom.
The team will still need to focus on landing a top-pair defenseman if it hopes to make significant strides after af irst-round exit in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
More NHL: Reported Trade: Bruins Acquire Utah’s JJ Peterka, Draft Compensation
