Utah's forward group is good, but adding a veteran to the mix could go a long way
The Utah Hockey Club has improved their team by a large margin this off-season.
Whether it be through the draft, trades they have made, or free-agent signings, they are in a better position to compete for a playoff spot this season than they were last season.
Going into the 2024–25 NHL season, they have 11 forwards signed, with Barrett Hayton still listed as a pending RFA. The expectation is that the club will re-sign him and give them 12 forwards.
With that said, they lack a true veteran leader up front. Yes, they have Clayton Keller, Lawson Crouse, Nick Schmaltz, and Alex Kerfoot, all of whom are NHL veterans. But they don't have a grizzled vet, and luckily for Utah, there are still a few left who are looking for new homes.
The one that stands out on the free agent list is Max Pacioretty. At 35 years old, he has been around the NHL block and knows what it takes to be a good NHL pro. Which can have a lasting impact on the younger members of the organization.
He can still put the puck in the back of the net. Last season, in 47 games with the Washington Capitals, he scored four goals and had 19 assists for 23 points. Although his goal total was down from years prior, he could still be counted on for 15-20 goals.
Utah has $15 million in projected cap space, which means they have the freedom to do whatever they want. When it comes to signing Pacioretty, he would likely only want around $2 million and a chance to play.
The other reason why Utah should consider this is because, by the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, they aren't in the playoff race and Pacioretty is playing well. They can easily flip him for an asset like a mid-tier draft pick and then use those assets to acquire another player or two at next year's draft, similar to what they did this year.