The Utah Mammoth have been one of the busiest NHL teams this off-season and they could still be looking at improving their roster via trade. The Mammoth's general manager Bill Armstrong has been clear about one thing since the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline: he wants his team to get better and to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. That looks like it is going to happen, but if he continues to make more moves, it will just solidify their chances. If you look at Armstrong's moves this summer, you'll notice that he tried to add players who know what it takes to win. Mainly with his signings of ex-Florida Panthers Nate Schmidt and Vitek Vanecek. But there is one other Panther that he should target, who could be a cap dump for the organization, and that is Evan Rodrigues. According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period [https://www.thefourthperiod.com/summer-trade-watch-list-2025], Rodrigues could be a "casualty of Florida’s salary cap situation." Rodrigues, 32, has played in the NHL for the last 10 years, where he split time with the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche and the aforementioned Panthers. He was even a Toronto Maple Leaf for a very brief time before being dealt to the Penguins. In 82 games with the Panthers last season, he had 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points. His career-high came back in 2021-22 with Pittsburgh when he scored 43 points in 82 games. Over his career, he has played in 547 games and has 96 goals, 143 assists for 239 points. Rodrigues can play down the middle or on the wing, which could be something of interest to the Mammoth. He’s also signed to a very good deal for Utah to take on. He has two years left with a $3 million AAV. He would be a prime candidate for a middle-six forward role on the Mammoth. He has shown that he can excel in that role, and with the organization continuing to add solid players via free agency and trades, he would be playing on a very good second or third line. Adding Rodrigues would also fall in line with what Armstrong is trying to build in Utah. If he has the chance to, he should try and add another player from the Panthers' Stanley Cup-winning teams to help both on the ice and in the locker room.
