May 2, 2024 | 12:12pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

UTAH EXPECTED TO ADD KEY PIECES TO ROSTER

Utah GM Bill Armstrong and head coach Andre Tourigny

As the Utah NHL franchise prepares for its inaugural season in Salt Lake City to kickstart the 2024-25 campaign, the club’s management group is mapping out a gameplan to improve their roster and playoff aspirations next season.

With just over $43.26 million in salary cap space going into next season, the Utah franchise will have every opportunity to add to their roster this off-season.

Defencemen Sean Durzi, Juuso Valimaki and J.J. Moser and forward Barrett Hayton are all eligible to become restricted free agents July 1 and are in need of new deals, but aside from them, GM Bill Armstrong will be focused on adding at both ends of the rink this summer.

Having gone through a significant rebuild in Arizona, the now-former Coyotes will look to be competitive and shoot for the playoffs next spring, as per the mandate from ownership.

It is unclear whom Utah will target via trade, but the club will also look to add through free agency to fill voids. Armstrong will be exploring the trade market, but unlike in years past, he does not have interest in adding high-priced contracts to bail out other teams and their tight cap situations. If Utah adds this summer, it will be to upgrade the roster.

Among the items on Armstrong’s off-season to-do list is adding a second line centre, a top-six winger and a top-four defenceman, according to multiple sources.

Armed with three second-round draft picks and three third-round selections in this summer’s NHL Draft, Utah could look to move out some of its draft capital for immediate upgrades, as well.