Utah Hockey Club starts off the offseason with bold steps

The Utah Hockey Club hopes its first season will be a departure from recent seasons in Arizona. The team has struggled in the desert, but there is optimism that the move to Utah will give the franchise new momentum.

Fans of the team must be encouraged by their first offseason so far. They had a very exciting draft. With the sixth overall pick, the team selected forward Tij Iginla. The son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, Tij is a two-way force with the potential to be a difference maker in Utah.

They have also taken care of the contracts of their players whose contracts are expiring. They have extended the contracts of defenders Juuso Valimaki and Sean Durzi for several years. Durzi had the best season of his career and can build on that in 2024. Valimaki missed some time in 2023 but has only scored 34 points for one season. The moves were crucial to round out the defensive core.

The real reason for optimism, however, is the team’s aggressiveness in improving its defense. Durzi and Valimaki’s contract extensions were important, but it was a small step compared to the team’s biggest move of the offseason. In a trade no one expected, Utah acquired Stanley Cup winner Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The move shocked the NHL and was a sign that the Utah Hockey Club means business. Sergachev gives them a true No. 1 defenseman for the first time in living memory.

Add to that another trade for the reliable John Marino and the signing of veteran Ian Cole for a year, and Utah’s starting defensive lineup is impressive. Their division is loaded with talent and now they finally have an answer for teams like the Predators, Avalanche and Stars.

If they want to secure a playoff spot in the crowded Central Division, their roster needs to improve. The forward depth is mediocre and their goaltending is nothing special, but their defensive improvements are undeniable. If the team maintains this aggressive determination, it won’t be long before the Utah Hockey Club is a force in the NHL.

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