Snapshots: Krebs, Pekarcik, Ducks

It’s been nearly three years since the Buffalo Sabres acquired Peyton Krebs as the centerpiece prospect in a deal that sent franchise icon Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights. Unfortunately, as things would play out, Krebs has yet to become the player that Buffalo has needed him to be and he remains the only player on the team without a contract for the 2024-25 NHL season.

In an article from Michael Augello of The Hockey News, he asserts that Krebs may have lost a spot in Lindy Ruff’s lineup entirely after the Sabres acquired Ryan McLeod, Beck Malenstyn, and Sam Lafferty over the offseason. After a poor offensive showing last year, it is difficult to ascertain where exactly Krebs fits into the lineup. He spent much of last year on Buffalo’s fourth line with Eric Robinson and Zemgus Girgensons where he became akin to an irritating player who lacked offensive punch.

There hasn’t been much word surrounding negotiations between Krebs and the Sabres brass, but the silence from both sides is becoming noticeable. Krebs shouldn’t expect to earn more than his qualifying offer of $874K on a new deal with Buffalo so the lack of a contract may indicate a move is in the making. Augello opines that the Sabres could look to move Krebs in a deal to acquire Joel Farabee from the Philadelphia Flyers but his supposed value in that hypothetical feels off-base. If Buffalo does move on from Krebs before the start of next year, it will be to a team looking to round out their bottom six for a much milder return.

Other snapshots:

• St. Louis Blues prospect Juraj Pekarcik was a part of a deal in the QMJHL earlier today as the Moncton Wildcats acquired him from the Acadie–Bathurst Titan in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026. Pekarcik has yet to play a game in the QMJHL as he spent last year with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL after being selected 76th overall by the Blues organization in the 2023 NHL Draft. In his first season after being drafted, Pekarcik suited up in 43 games for the Saints and scored nine goals and 49 points.
• In a write-up regarding the Anaheim Ducks, David Satriano of the NHL relays that the Ducks will lean more heavily on their young stars next season. Anaheim has not qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs since the 2017-18 season and has not finished higher than sixth in their division in the same amount of time. The team should open up more minutes for the likes of Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger so the Ducks can firmly transition into the future. Although Anaheim is not expected to compete for playoffs next season, they hope to play meaningful games well into March and April while being led by their young players.