Nick DeSimone will make his Utah debut on Friday against the San Jose Sharks, replacing Kolyachonok. The 23-year-old Kolyachonok is averaging 12:20 time-on-ice, recording five points (2G / 3A), 19 blocks, and 14 hits in 23 games this season.
DeSimone is an undrafted 30-year-old defenseman that has seven points (2G / 5A) in 38 career NHL games. He started the season with the New Jersey Devils but never drew into the lineup for an NHL game and was eventually placed on waivers earlier this month.
Dylan Guenther (lower body) will be out of the lineup indefinitely, resulting in Utah HC recalled Doan from the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL). The 22-year-old Doan played nine games with Utah earlier this season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, scoring 21 points (8G / 13A) in 25 games with Tuscon.
Guenther showed no signs of an injury in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, recording 16:47 time-on-ice, but is battling a lower-body ailment that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. The 21-year-old Guenther has 34 points (16G / 18A) in 40 games this season but has only scored two (0G / 2A) in his past eight. Utah HC has recalled Josh Doan from the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL) as Guenther's replacement.
With Connor Ingram (upper body) returning from nearly a two-month absence, Stauber has been reassigned to the Tuscon Roadrunners. The 25-year-old Stauber played well in limited action with Utah HC, posting a 2.23 GAA and .925 SV% in four games (2-1-1).
Ingram has not played an NHL game since suffering an upper-body injury on November 18th, missing 18 games, but returns from the AHL after a one-game conditioning stint with the Tuscon Roadrunners where he saved 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a victory. Utah HC will hope that the forced time off helped Ingram rediscover his game from a season ago as he had struggled before his injury, sporting an ugly 3.61 GAA and .871 SV% in 13 games (6-4-3).
Utah HC has lost six of their last seven games (1-5-1) and will turn to Vejmelka for a third straight contest on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. Vejmelka allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.45 GAA and .914 SV% in 24 games this season (9-10-3).
After winning four straight, Utah HC has lost five in a row and will attempt to right the ship in their first game of 2025, with Vejmelka between the pipes. Despite losing his last three games, Vejmelka has been serviceable, posting a .906 SV%. He has a 2.40 GAA and .916 SV% in 22 appearances this season (8-10-2). Utah HC enters Thursday's contest as -120 road favorites against a Calgary Flames club coming off a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Keller was a late scratch on Tuesday due to an illness but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Keller has been a point-per-game player over the past four seasons, with an impressive 262 points (111G / 151A) in 263 games. He leads Utah HC this season with 37 points (13G / 24A) in 36 games.
Maccelli is the latest victim of the bug travelling around Utah's dressing room. His absence tonight makes room for Clayton Keller, who missed last game with an illness.
Keller was a late scratch on Tuesday due to an illness but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Keller has been a point-per-game player over the past four seasons, with an impressive 262 points (111G / 151A) in 263 games. He leads Utah HC this season with 37 points (13G / 24A) in 36 games.
After winning four straight, Utah HC has lost five in a row and will attempt to right the ship in their first game of 2025, with Vejmelka between the pipes. Despite losing his last three games, Vejmelka has been serviceable, posting a .906 SV%. He has a 2.40 GAA and .916 SV% in 22 appearances this season (8-10-2). Utah HC enters Thursday's contest as -120 road favorites against a Calgary Flames club coming off a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
