Expect Utah HC to chase a top pairing defenseman this summer

With a fresh location and an owner who wants to win right away, Utah Hockey Club should be on everyone’s radar when it comes to finding a top-tier defenseman.

Last season, the Arizona Coyotes-now-Utah club finished with a 36-41-5 record and 77 points, seventh in the Western Conference’s Central Division and fourth-last in the entire conference. Defensemen Sean Durzi led the blue line in scoring with 41 points, and J.J. Moser chipped in 26 of his own. Both players will be restricted free agents this offseason.

As it stands, Brady Skejei and Brandon Montour are the top available free-agent defenders, along with Matt Roy, Brett Pesce and Nikita Zadorov. But is there a path for Utah HC to acquire a big ticket via trade? Is team owner Ryan Smith willing to spend up to the $88 million the salary cap is set at for 2024-25? And would players be willing to go to a place like Salt Lake City that’s still in a transitional phase of a relocation?

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss Utah HC and whether they’ll be motivated to add on their blue line ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Frank, the Utah Hockey Club and Bill Armstrong are free to spend like a drunken sailor, if he chooses. The rumour is they’re looking for a top-pairing defenseman. Is there smoke, fire, or is it a false alarm? Or will they be able to do it if they want to?

Frank Seravalli: Sure. I mean, why not? You’ve got the ability, you’ve got the assets, you’ve got the want-and-need to go and do it, and I think they’ll be well positioned to try and chase that.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…