Utah Logo Mock Ups The Utah Hockey Club are still within arm’s reach of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They currently sit six points back of the Vancouver Canucks for the last playoff spot in the West. However, after the 4-Nations break, things could go one of two ways. They could either go on a winning streak and stay in the hunt for a playoff spot, or they could fall out of the race due to poor play, which could force them to become sellers at the trade deadline. If they decide to sell, four of their nine pending UFA's could be highly sought-after by contending teams as we get closer to the March 7 trade deadline. The four names are Alex Kerfoot, Nick Bjugstad, Ian Cole, and Karel Vejmelka, all of whom could provide valuable depth to a team looking to go on a deep playoff run. Starting with Kerfoot isn’t known for his offensive production, but teams would look at acquiring him for his defensive abilities and versatility. A few teams that could be interested include the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and New Jersey Devils. Bjugstad has been in this position before—just two seasons ago, he was a member of the Arizona Coyotes before being dealt to the Oilers at the deadline. Flash forward, and he’s in the same spot again, but this time, he could be headed elsewhere. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and Minnesota Wild are three teams that could be interested, though the Oilers may also throw their name in the mix again. Cole is a veteran defenseman who can log big minutes and kill penalties, making him a valuable asset for any contending team. If he’s moved, expect interest from clubs like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Detroit Red Wings. Vejmelka finds himself in an interesting spot. He has been Utah’s starter while Connor Ingram has been out, but as a pending UFA with no sign of an extension, he could be a trade option. Again, the Oilers could look at him as a backup to Stuart Skinner, though that would likely be a rental since Vejmelka will want a starting or tandem role next season. If Utah decides to move him, the Pittsburgh Penguins also make sense as a potential trade partner.
