Reinhart, Guentzel and More: Four Utah Free Agent Targets for This Summer

Utah is looking to be competitive immediately and should target these four free agents this summer because of it.

The NHL is officially coming to Utah, much to the state's excitement. While the Arizona Coyotes – the team they are taking over – was among the league's worst clubs for multiple seasons in a row, Utah is looking to change that immediately.

Utah is also in a position to make some significant moves entering the summer. With roughly $40.5 million in cap space to work with next season, they are expected to be notable spenders in free agency. But which specific players should they target? Here are their top four options.

If Utah wants to make a massive splash this summer, Sam Reinhart must be on their radar. The 28-year-old is this year's top free agent, and if he hits the market, he will land a massive payday. Utah has a boatload of cap space, and they could use that to their advantage in the potential Reinhart sweepstakes. 

Reinhart took his offense to a new level this season, posting new career highs with 57 goals and 94 points in 82 games. Adding that kind of goal-scoring to Utah's lineup would be outstanding, so it wouldn't be surprising if they tried to land the big fish of the summer. 

Utah has just as good of an option in Carolina Hurricanes star Jake Guentzel, too. The 29-year-old has been a consistent point-per-game player for several seasons now, and he was yet again this regular season. In 67 games split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Canes, Guentzel had 30 goals and 77 points.

Guentzel would give Utah a massive boost in their top six and become their top weapon on the power play. Utah needs that dominant goal-scorer, and Guentzel has been one throughout his career. Thus, the match is there on paper.

Utah would be wise to add a big-impact defenseman to their roster. Their right side, in particular, could use some improvement. As a result, one player who they surely should have on their radar if he hits the market is Brandon Montour. 

Montour, 30, is the top right-shot defenseman from this year's free agency class. He is an offensive defenseman who plays top-four minutes and runs the power play. In 66 games this regular season, he had eight goals and 33 points. Overall, it was a solid year for him, but he also had 73 points in 80 games in 2022-23. Due to this, he has the potential to be an even bigger threat, so Utah should consider him. 

Elias Lindholm may have had a shaky 2023-24 regular season, but he is still the top free-agent center heading into the summer. When he's on his game, he is an excellent two-way center who produces well offensively and is magnificent defensively. That is the kind of player that a club like Utah could use as they look to become competitive. 

Lindholm would give Utah's top six a nice boost if signed. Along with that, he would be a major addition to both of their special-team units because of his strong all-around play.