The young core excited, anticipating to shine in a new city.
By Anthony Pellegrino @apelle50 IceInsider.com Founder/Owner
BOSTON--Anticipation is at an all-time high for not only spectators and fans but also players alike in Utah. A new building, a new fanbase, and for most players: a fresh start.
A new team in town rarely happens in the modern-day NHL. For perspective, the last time a team relocated was the Atlanta Thrashers to the Winnipeg Jets in 2011. With virtually everything branded with a fresh start, the players have one common goal and buy-in that remains the same. To compete for a Stanley Cup. But what will that team exactly look like?
Keep in mind, these lines are tentative and subject to change. Especially, heading into training camp:
Forwards:
Clayton Keller-Barrett Hayton-Nick Schmaltz
Keller lead the Coyotes in Goals with 33, Assists with 43, and Points with 76 over the 2023-2024 span. Accompanied by linemate Schmaltz, 25, who trailed Keller in points with 61. Hayton still developing, will be surrounded by talent in Keller and Schmaltz to grow into a long-term role with Utah.
Keller brings experience with the line to help facilitate offense regularly, on the first line, and top power play line. He hit 500 NHL games played this past March, which will help play a role in his mentorship for the youth. Schmaltz, drafted as a playmaking center has adapted nicely into a wing spot accompanying Keller. His smart playmaking skills come in handy on the power play. Hayton's focused on completion. His 4.5 shooting percentage was 23rd on the team, posting just three goals and 10 points. His top linemates should help him to gain confidence and produce on the top line.
If the stars align, Keller and Schmaltz's chemistry continues, and Hayton can build off the top-line play, this will be a consistent number-one line for the team.
Lawson Crouse-Logan Cooley-Dylan Guenther
Crouse brings his 6-foot-4 frame to the second line, which according to KSLSports.com, got him the nickname, "The Sheriff." A playmaker in Crouse, posting 42 points in 81 games last season, his numbers have floated around the 30/40 point mark the past three seasons. If he can continue to excel and hit 50 points for the first time in his career, milestones like one of Crouse will facilitate the team to compete for a playoff spot.
Drafted in the 1st round (3rd overall), in the 2022 Entry Level Draft, Logan Cooley is an exciting young player that Utah fans should be excited about. In his debut season, he played all 82 games, (rare for a player's first NHL season), posting 44 points with 20 Goals and 24 Assists over the season. His positive speed differential uses puck protection to gain inside ice during one-on-one chances.
Another youth talent on the second line 21-year-old Dylan Guenther will be coming into his third season with the team. He had significant improvement from his rookie to second season, leaping from 15 points in 33 GP during the 2022-2023 season, to 35 points in 45 GP over the 2023-2024 season. If he can play a full season at his points pace from last season, the second line will be a goal-scoring force.
Matias Maccelli-Nick Bjugstad-Josh Doan
The third line: is filled with young talent in Maccelli, and son of legend Shane Doan, Josh Doan. Both are accompanied by 32-year-old veteran Nick Bjugstad. This makes for a depth line while growing rookies into future long-term roles on the top lines.
Macelli is a talented offensive winger who makes plays and finishes effectively. A common theme within the team is the young players, making a significant jump from the first season's point totals to the second season.
Josh Doan made an entrance into his NHL career. With 9 points in the first 11 games, a huge storyline into next season will be if he can continue a similar pace for Utah through 82 games. Expect coaches to push him up to the second line if the play continues.
Both will be accompanied by veteran Nick Bjugstad.
Alex Kerfoot-Jack Mcbain-Kevin Stenlund
A viable asset for Utah will be the sheer amount of depth within the team. The fourth line is a perfect example of the situation. Kerfoot, 30, is a playmaker who assisted on 32 goals last season with Arizona. In the modern-day NHL, a player on an ever-other game production rate, on the fourth line is an asset.
Mcbain's play, a testimonial to the word "grittiness", brings a much-needed roughness to the lineup. His heavy playing style landed him in the penalty box 25 times throughout the 2023-2024 season. Stenlund, another fierce player on the roster had a career-high 62 penalty minutes with Florida. A presence in the room, who hoisted the Stanley Cup with Florida in June.
Defense Pairings:
Mikhail Sergachev-Sean Durzi
Sergachev 26, and Durzi 25, pair as one of the youngest defensive top-line duos in the NHL. One who knows what it takes to contribute to a Stanley Cup-winning defensive lineup if Sergachev can stay healthy throughout the season, the top pair will be a lock.
He had a staggering 64 points in 79 regular season games with Tampa two seasons ago. Last season, suffering a tibia and fibula injury kept him out from February 8th to April 27th. Again, if he can stay healthy and find his game from two seasons ago, his defensive production will be huge for the club.
Traded to Arizona (at the time) for a second-round pick in the summer of 2023, Durzi's been described as "the gambler." Although at times he can make costly plays, his skillful offensive talent landed him 41 points in 76 games with Arizona last season. Most notably, he averaged just over two shot blocks per game.
Juuso Valimaki-John Marino
Vailmaki, 25, brings physicality and a defensive sense to the back end. He averaged just over one hit per game, and slightly more than one block per game. The back four is expected to be transitioned through, giving guys like Ian Cole and Michael Kesselring a shot at the second defensive line. If the swagger-filled Valimaki can begin to use his 6'2 frame to his advantage more, his defensive sense will continue to grow, and develop.
On the right side, John Marino. While he's shy on the physicality, he's not afraid to get into a shot lane. Marino, 27, brought in 89 blocks in 75 games played last season, with the New Jersey Devils.
The East Coast native spent his first five NHL seasons close to home split in Pittsburgh and New Jersey. He will head out west to Utah for the season.
Ian Cole-Michael Kesselring
A veteran presence accompanied by a player in his youth, to stay young. Ian Cole is nearing the end of a long, successful NHL career. Cole will play in his 16th NHL season this coming October.
Cole, a native of Ann Arbor Michigan, won back-to-back cups with Pittsburgh in 2017 and 2018. His veteran knowledge will hopefully, be passed down nicely to the young Michael Kesserling.
Kesserling, 24, has been talked about as a "defensive defenseman," including his sizable 6'5 frame. For his height, he is still agile enough to carry the puck when needed.
Goaltenders:
Connor Ingram/Karel Vejmelka
The club's goaltending certainly hasn't been a strong point as of late. It's presumed the goaltenders' roles will be similar to last season. With Connor Ingram handling a little more than half of the load, and Vejmelka with slightly less than half.
Ingram, 27, hasn't necessarily been "bad", but average. For the team to compete for a Stanley Cup, relying on the goaltender to sit near the .912 SV% makes that much of a difference, especially come time for playoffs. A storyline to watch, will Connor Ingram be able to grow his save percentage? He's sat at a .907 SV% over the past two seasons.
Karel Vejmelka has been with the club (Arizona) for the past three seasons. His numbers haven't been spectacular, and not much growth has been shown through his NHL time.
Other goaltenders in the system include promising prospects, in Matthew Villalta and Jaxson Stauber.
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