Utah Hockey Club reveals what they are targeting in a draft day trade
After shutting down trade rumors involving Mitch Marner, David Pagnotta revealed the Utah Hockey Club is instead targeting a top-pair defenseman ahead of the upcoming NHL draft.
The leadership of the Utah Hockey Club has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure team success in their first year under their new name and arena. As part of their build up, they signed former Arizona Cotoes forward Liam O'Brien to a 3-year contract.
We have signed @OfficialBigTuna to a 3-year contract! "
Despite these efforts, Utah has had difficulty keeping all updates under wraps. After leaking their logo designs and finalist team names, the team had to answer rumors that Utah HC was brokering a deal with Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs; a rumor that David Pagnotta had to shut down himself.
However, Pagnotta of the Fourth Period later provided more information on the types of players Utah is actually targeting. Instead of top forwards like Mitch Marner, the team aims to pick up some top-line defensemen for their future lineup.
Given the Arizona Coyotes' last season, a solid defensive player is exactly who Utah needs. However, with so many other teams looking to build up their pairings, they could have trouble picking the right one.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 26 | 93 ANSWERS Utah Hockey Club reveals what they are targeting in a draft day trade Will Utah HC be able to sign a top-pair defenseman this season? | ||
| Yes, before the start | 44 | 47.3 % |
| Yes, after the start | 17 | 18.3 % |
| No | 32 | 34.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||