The backstory of how high-scoring forward JP Hurlbert ended up being a Detroit draft pick last weekend (23rd overall) is an interesting one. It involved Boston making a play for a top-6 forward, the Bruins enticing Utah with high draft picks to make that happen, and Utah in turn dealing one of those picks to Detroit.
The Wings entered the 2026 draft without a first-round pick, having sent their first selection to St. Louis in exchange for d-man Justin Faulk this past March. General Manager Steve Yzerman resolved this dilemma by sending goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa to Utah in exchange for pick #23, which he then used to select Hurlbert. By doing so, Utah secured what it believes to be its backup goaltender now and in the future, as the Mammoth believe Cossa has developed the consistent ability to spell long-term starter Karel Vejmelka with quality starts.
In order to make the Wings/Mammoth trade materialize, Utah first needed to acquire a pick it was willing to part with for the right price. This is where Boston comes into play, as they had a 2026 pick (as well as a 2028 first-round pick) in its quest for a top-6 forward to complement the likes of David Pastrnak. The Bruins found their man to fit this bill in former Utah forward JJ Peterka, who became available after experiencing a significant scoring dip last season. Despite this decreased production, Boston nonetheless struck a deal with Utah for the 24-year German. Peterka is expected to slot in as the 2nd-line right winger, replacing Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson recently signed a 2-year, $10 million free agent contract ($5 million AAV) with Detroit.