What should the NHL expect from the Utah Hockey Club's first season on the ice? With Clayton Keller, Mikhail Sergachev and a fresh start, expect a treat, says Adam Proteau.
This is the latest file in THN.com’s ongoing series that looks at important issues facing each NHL franchise.
Today's focus is on the Utah Hockey Club. With their first season approaching, the stage is set for them to make a strong first impression in the NHL.
1. What should Utah fans expect from their new team on the ice this season? Are they a Central Division dark horse?
The Utah team’s fans are in for an immediate treat this season, as GM Bill Armstrong has put together a team that’s significantly improved from its final season in Arizona last year.
How improved the team is remains the biggest question, but from this writer’s perspective, Utah HC will be a playoff team in the Central this season.
Why? Well, primarily because Utah’s defense corps is notably better with the additions of star blueliner Mikhail Sergachev and veteran D-men John Marino and Ian Cole. That improvement on their back end and the internal improvement of their group of forwards should be enough for Utah to slip into one of the final wild-card berths in the division and the Western Conference.
Calling them a dark horse may even be a bit of an underestimation, as that suggests they will be somewhat of a surprise this year. We believe they will not surprise Armstrong and those who believe in the club's blueprint for success.
It’s their first season in a new NHL market, but for those who understand the bumpy path for the former Arizona franchise, the step forward they take this coming season will finally put them into the playoffs for the first time since 2019-20.
2. THN’s Fantasy Guide is projecting star Utah forward Clayton Keller for 80 points in 80 games. Is the 90-point mark out of the question for him?
As Utah’s highest-paid forward at $7.15 million per season, the 26-year-old Keller will be in the spotlight for the season.
While Keller’s totals on offense took a step back last year – from 37 goals and 86 points in 82 games in 2022-23 to 33 goals and 76 points in 78 games last season – he should be at least a point-per-game player in 2024-25.
Keller will likely start the season on Utah’s first line and first power-play unit as usual, and the opportunities he gets will help him reach the 90-point mark.
Of course, it’s far from a guarantee he’ll get there, but Keller is entering his prime. Utah’s younger players around him – including Logan Cooley, Barrett Hayton, Matias Maccelli and Lawson Crouse – will make putting up points much easier for Keller.
It won’t be easy for Keller to set new career highs, but he’s got the talent to do so.
3. Is the best yet to come from Mikhail Sergachev?
The acquisition of Sergachev – in a trade that sent blueliner J.J. Moser, prospect Conor Geekie and two draft picks to Tampa Bay – gave the former Coyotes hockey operations staff the top-pairing defenseman they needed for years.
The 26-year-old Russian D-man is now Utah’s highest-paid player with an $8.5-million cap hit, and he’ll be the team’s most-used player, playing at least the 22:33 of ice time he averaged with the Lightning last season.
Sergachev has never been in a position where he was his team’s top defenseman until now. He’ll be looked to for his Stanley Cup-winning pedigree and all-around talents, including on offense, as he posted 54 assists and 64 points in 2022-23 before being injured most of last year. He will also feed pucks to elite young forwards.
We’re not here to tell you Sergachev will win the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman. The Lightning wouldn’t have parted ways with him if he were as good as or better than star Bolts D-man Victor Hedman, but for Utah, Sergachev can be the lead dog and take him and the team to another level.
Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.