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Utah Hockey Club 2024-25 NHL Season Preview | The Hockey Writers Roundtable
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Sep 6, 2024
Host Matthew Zator welcomes Utah Hockey Club writers Chase Beardsley and Parker Beh to The Hockey Writers Roundtable to preview the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season. 0:00 Intro 2:33 Forwards - Storylines/Burning Questions 7:54 Utah Hockey Club's Defense 14:23 Goaltending - Karel Vejmelka & Connor Ingram 18:21 How does Utah stack up in the Central Division? Quick Fire 22:38 Biggest Storyline/Question Mark Going Into 2024-25 24:13 Breakout Stars 25:22 One Player That Needs to Bounce Back 26:44 Potential X-Factors 28:10 Rookie/Prospect That Could Surprise & Make the Team 30:27 Prospects to Watch 32:25 Scoring Leaders & Bold Predictions Follow Parker and Chase's work - Parker Beh - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/pbeh/
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0:00
Hello, everybody, and welcome into another season preview show here at the Hockey Writers
0:06
I'm your host, Matthew Zattor, and we are up to the Utah Hockey Club, formerly the Arizona Coyotes
0:12
I've got a couple of writers here, Parker Bay and Chase Beardsley. Chase, I know you were on the last season preview
0:19
Parker, you're a new face. I'll start with you. Parker, how's it going? Yeah, I'm doing great, you know
0:25
Someone new with the Hockey Writers, but I'm excited. It's a new year in Utah, and can't wait to see what happens for this
0:29
this team. For sure. And Chase, how's it going? It's going good. You know, we got the whole
0:37
arena situation figured out. So happy that that's over. But, you know, excited to get into a new
0:42
era, a new era of this team up in Utah. For sure. And it was a kind of, it kind of happened really
0:50
quickly. I, you know, there was to talk about that auction and trying to get an arena and all
0:55
that stuff. And then all of a sudden, they're moving. And it happened pretty close. And it happened pretty
0:59
quickly over the last you know over just a few weeks and all of a sudden they have a new team the
1:04
draft is coming up they get the first draft ever draft pick for you for utah new owner all that
1:10
stuff but i mean front office stays the same coaches stayed the same so i mean there is some
1:16
continuity there it's not a whole you know they didn't sweep everyone and just say goodbye
1:21
they didn't say goodbye to obviously the business side um but the hockey operations has stayed the same
1:28
which is good. And Bill Armstrong is still in charge. And the draft went off pretty well
1:34
They had another high pick. T. Jiginla had the main pick there
1:38
And that's an exciting guy to get added to the, you know, obviously everyone knows
1:44
Jerome McGinla's son. And it is an exciting time for, you know, a new fan base now
1:51
I mean, I'm sure there's some going to be coyote's fans moving over to Utah as well
1:56
It's not just going to say, well, I'm not going to be. a fan of the team anymore. I've been connected to a lot of the players
2:01
So, you know, pretty good. So it's exciting to get to get started here
2:05
So let's start with the forward group to preview that. They didn't really change much
2:11
They added Stanlin from Kevin Stanlin from the Florida Panthers, who just won the Cup
2:17
So you've got some, you know, a champion. Stanley Cup champion coming in
2:22
I mean, he wasn't a huge part of the team, but a good bottom six guy. Overall
2:26
though, their young core with some of the veterans that are sprinkled in from last season
2:32
So I'll start with you, Parker, on what do you think about this for a group
2:36
I mean, obviously led by a pretty good core of players, Clayton Keller being the main guy
2:41
that seems to be trending towards. He's going to be captain of this team eventually
2:47
And I think it's going to be this season. He's kind of been in waiting for a while
2:53
But what do you think about this group overall? Yeah, it's relatively the same group, which is nice
2:58
they're growing and developing, you know, Barrett Hayden, hopefully will be healthy this year
3:01
And that line was great two years ago when Keller had his breakout year
3:06
Logan Cooley and Dylan Gunther really found their stride with Lawson Krause on that second line
3:10
I thought they were great in the second half of the season. And, you know, the bottom six still got a lot of veterans like Stendland
3:16
They brought him in, played in all of Florida's games in the Stanley Cup, which really says a lot
3:21
For a guy that doesn't produce a lot offensively, I've liked the move so far Armstrong's made
3:26
but he's keeping the core together, and it should be another, you know, exciting year with this young forward group
3:32
For sure. And you're looking at the young pieces, Chase, with, you know
3:36
Dylan Genther, Logan Coley, had a great rookie season. And then obviously some of the veterans
3:42
Alexander Kerfut's coming back. You've got, you know, the other young guy in Josh Dohn
3:47
who had a great end of the season, great debut. And seem to be
3:53
there's no, you know, NHL didn't seem like a boss. Shirthed him. So what do you think about this group here? Yeah, I mean, like you said
4:01
it's a nice young group, mixed with some good veterans. Like you obviously have some
4:06
leftovers from the prior regime, Chica's regime, Clay and Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Lawson
4:11
Kraus, you know, the core guys are going to anchor this team. Like you said, playing Keller
4:16
you know, we'll see when he gets named captain, but it's obviously going to be him at this
4:20
point. You have a lot of older players like Nick Bukstad and Alex Kerflett, now Kevin
4:26
題 Stenland that Armstrong has added over the past couple of seasons to kind of provide that
4:31
winning mentality as this team grows and grows. And in that locker room, you know, show what it's like to win and have a winning
4:39
locker room because, you know, Nick Bukstad, obviously, that has had a stored career
4:44
So it's Kerfick. Stanlin, obviously, winning a championship last year at the Panthers
4:49
These are key guys that are really going to help your youth and speaking of the youth
4:53
like so many on all positions, but sticking with the forward group
4:58
I mean, Josh Stone, as you mentioned, it was so fun watching him in person last year
5:02
He was such a great guy. Even when he went down for the Roadrunners playoff games
5:06
I thought he had some good looks, even though, you know, they didn't have the playoff run that they wanted to
5:11
but over in that, Logan Cooley, Parker said it best when Dylan Gunther came up
5:16
Logan Cooley really took off. And I think they found their second line
5:20
with Gunther and Cooley, you know, really doing well. You have others, you know, Tijiginla eventually will make it in, but he was a great draft pick this summer
5:29
So is cold Bodeau. You got Aku Ratu waiting in the minors, and he had an excellent season with the roadrunners
5:36
Came up for a game last year. That was kind of overshadowed by, you know, the coyotes relocating
5:41
But had an assist in his own NHL game, not a bad start
5:45
So like you said, Matthew, like this is a group. This is a team mixed with youth and veterans all around, kind of anchored by the Keller
5:53
to Schmaltz and the Krauss on the Ford group. And they're just ready to take off in Utah
5:59
We're probably going to see more of what we saw later in the season, this upcoming
6:04
season, you know, with Gunther and Cooley, really playing well together. I liked the McBain and Dome line
6:10
I really did. I thought they had good chemistry together. We'll see if the tourney sticks them together
6:15
And again, big question around Barrett Hayden, as Parker mentioned, you know, will he stay healthy
6:20
That's really been the main, you know, red market. of his career every time, you know
6:25
he think he starts to get going and just gets injured. So we'll see if he stays healthiest year
6:30
Obviously, he got signs that two-year extension over the off season. So it should be fun to watch this team in their first season in Salt Lake City
6:39
Yeah, it is a very exciting group of players, especially at the four group
6:43
And like you said, they do have a mix of veterans that seem to, you know
6:47
they added just for that winning mentality that you're not, you know, we don't want this rebuild to last forever
6:52
And last season, they actually were quite good for most of the season
6:56
It's just that huge losing streak just killed them. And then they just fell out of the playoff race
7:02
And everyone's like, okay, they're back to what everyone kind of anticipated
7:06
But they had a really good start. And it seemed like they may have sneak into the playoffs
7:11
But that losing streak is completely. I think, you know, when you mentioned that, a huge reason was because of the relocation issues
7:19
And during that time, that's when, you know, it was most pressing. and we thought it would kind of happen again when the relocation almost became more than
7:27
an official. They had a good ending to their season. They had a good start
7:31
They just got to put it all together and have a solid season. Well, that distraction's gone now
7:36
And that's a huge thing. And now it's just the excitement of building the team
7:42
And that's basically all that they have to worry about now, which is what all teams are
7:46
worrying about and no one else worrying about relocation. So that's going to be not a news story
7:52
more, which is great. All right, let's move to the defense, which saw a lot of changes
7:57
And this is where Armstrong just went to work and added quite a few veterans
8:04
Actually, all of them. All of them are veterans and the new guys. So I'll stay with you, Chase
8:09
We'll start with the big guy, Mikhail Surgichab coming over from the Tampa Bay Lightning
8:15
And this was a really surprising move to me because they just signed him to a long-term deal
8:20
thinking that, well, he's going to be a big part of the lightning for a long time
8:25
And now he's, that contracts now with Utah, 26 years old. He's right in his prime
8:32
And now he's going to be the anchor on this defense. What do you think about his addition to this group
8:39
Well, it's massive. There's no, you can't undersell it. It's massive. This is a number one defenseman in the league on most teams
8:48
You know he brings you know that great defensive play He has some offense too So we see what he does last year You know he kind of injured here and there did hurt his production But the year previous like he had 60 plus points that season
9:04
Two-time Stanley Cup champion. And, you know, you see Armstrong add yet another guy who has won Stanley Cups
9:10
which is important. Again, having these guys that know how to win as they continue to trend towards their
9:16
they're kind of like end of rebuild playoff contention window. There's no understanding
9:23
Surggev's going to be awesome. On that number one pairing with probably Sean Dursey
9:27
which could be an elite tandem of those two. Sean Dursey is no slacker himself
9:32
He had a decent year last year. I think this year he's going to get better, especially Sergachev on his side
9:38
And you see Bill Armstrong weaponized his cap space. They had one of the most capspace in the league, and he did it
9:45
And, you know, I think that speaks a lot to Ryan Smith and his first year as an owner
9:51
letting Armstrong be, you know, do whatever with his cap space and goes out and gets Sergeathev
9:57
And it was a great trade too. You know, you give up Moser, been in the system for a while
10:01
We kind of saw what his peak would be. Give up Connor Geeky, which we'll see what he turns out to be
10:08
I don't know how he'll do with Syracuse slash Tampa, but it should be interesting
10:12
but I thought this was a great trade for Utah and should be exciting to see this massive name
10:20
And I would put Sergeatshev and, you know, conversations as one top defenseman, like I said
10:25
you know, seeing this player in your first year of existence and having your fans witness that
10:31
I mean, that's a way to kick off your fan base and kick off your franchise
10:35
It should be super fun to watch Sergeyev. Yeah, he's been in the league
10:41
it seems like he's been in the league forever, but he's only 26, and he's done so much already
10:46
with the time he's been. And, you know, being with Dersey, who that's the right, left shot, left, right shot
10:53
combo there. That's perfect. And they're both around the same age. Jersey's 25
10:59
So they could be the, you know, the core group of the defense here moving forward
11:05
Parker, moving to John Marino, who again, in this, is still in this same age group
11:10
He's 27. So you're really not, they're veterans, but they're not old veterans
11:15
So, and he had a great, a great season with New Jersey's first season
11:19
a little bit of a struggle in the second season, but still formed a pretty good town as being a shutdown type guy
11:25
probably going to take on that same role in Utah. What did you think about Marino being added
11:30
Yeah, I think it's great. And with all these defensemen that they've brought in, they have playoff experience
11:35
Marino's played three years with Pittsburgh in the playoffs, one with New Jersey
11:39
and you know they did give up two second round picks one in this year's draft and one for next year
11:44
which may have seemed like a lot of first but i think the move really solidifies their second
11:48
pairing with him valamaki and that top four looks great surgachev dursy marino if valamacki can get
11:56
to what he was two years ago he was really solid this year was a little decline with the ice time
12:00
bringing in dursy but he was you know if that if those top four they can play the way they
12:05
have i mean that that top four is going to be great and they finally
12:09
have what it feels like a true number one pairing. You know, they've had Ekman Larson, you know, they had him forever captaining back
12:16
there and no one really was like, who's going to be his partner
12:20
And now you have Dersie and Sergeathev, that is like a dangerous top pair
12:25
Well, I mean, their weakness was defense. You know, every time I was like, well, they need to fix their defense
12:31
And now they have. And that was, I think, a goal of Armstrong's going into the offseason was to do that
12:37
And I'll stay with you with the other guy. This is a veteran
12:41
Ian Cole, 35 years old. He's been in the league forever. He's won Cups
12:46
He was with the Canucks's past season. I'm very familiar with him. I really liked how we played with the Connax
12:51
even though a lot of people were like, well, good riddens because he wasn't very good
12:55
in the playoffs. But the thing is, is he was playing hurt
12:59
And that's a big thing of why he wasn't that good. But he led the Canucks and blocked shots
13:06
He's a veteran. he's physical. He'll be a key part of the penalty kill
13:11
And rounding out that bottom pairing, I think. So what do you think about Cole being added here
13:16
I think it's great, too, because he's played for a lot of teams. I think this will be his ninth team he's played for
13:21
He's played in 11 playoffs out of his, I think this is year 15 now of his career
13:26
which is it says a lot as a defenseman as 35 years old. They did sign him to a one-year deal, which I kind of liked
13:32
It's kind of a make-it-or-break-year for him. He's two-time Stanley Cup champ with Pittsburgh and 26
13:37
2016, 2017. And I think he's going to be great for these younger guys on the team
13:41
You know, I think he is the oldest player at Bukstad, I think is 32. So he'll be a great, you know, veteran guy to some of these younger defenders like Kesselring and Vala Mackey
13:51
I think he'll really help them grow. Yeah, like I say, I really liked his being with the Canucks
13:58
I was actually hoping they would resign him, even though it wasn't very good in the playoffs. But he wanted too much money
14:03
And of course, Utah is able to pay these guys. fine. And one year deal, really, there's no risk to it
14:11
And he's only going to help the, even if the, you know, Utah doesn't make the playoffs, he's still going to help these young guys in probably
14:19
the year he'll be here. So yeah, a really good move there. All right
14:23
Moving to goaltending. No changes. Connor Ingram, Karel Velalka, will be the tandem again here
14:31
Chase, what do you think about this group, this tandem? Is it good enough for
14:37
potentially playoffs of what this group is is now they're probably going to be way better defensively
14:42
so they these two guys won't have to deal with the amount of shots and eye danger chances that
14:46
they've had to i'll ask you the question who's the starter here is it a one a one b or is it
14:54
ingram kind of pulled ahead last season to be that starter yeah i think right now it's a one a one b
15:02
but it could you know quickly become ingram stills the net as you said he was super
15:07
good last year. End up winning the Masterton, which was awesome to see for his story
15:12
Super cool. You know, I think Connor Ingraham is one the youngest starting goaltenders or potentially
15:20
starting goaltenders out there right now. And I think it says a lot that he took over, kind of took over the net throughout the
15:27
middle of the season last year. And then they kind of went back to the 1A1B thing. The milk has struggled last year
15:32
There's no, there's no secret about that. even though Ternie loves his 1A1B system
15:38
like there was no seeking around it, especially when the Melka Ingram eventually both of them, you know
15:45
hit struds and when he got injured, Matt Bialta got called up is just a disaster at that point
15:51
the defense, and then also the goaltending. So this year it should be better, like you said
15:55
you're going to have surrogative Cole Marino in there. So it should be a much improved defense
16:01
And I think right now, again, you go with 1A1B, you see who strides, who drives more
16:08
And my opinion, it will be Ingram. I like it. I like both goaltenders
16:13
I think both goaltenders could drag them into the playoffs. I don't know about cup run
16:18
That's a completely different question. But I think for right now, both these guys are good enough to push this team into
16:27
the playoffs and maybe do some damage. Parker, do you think that
16:33
that's a 1A, 1B as well, or do you think one should take more of the starts
16:39
I think Ingram's the clear starter. He was tied for the league in shutouts last year, and I felt like Tarini kind of went with
16:49
Ingram later in the year. He was more of the hotter goalie. I do think the Melka is a very solid backup
16:54
He did have a little bit of a down year, but it's pretty unique with the Melka
16:58
He catches right-handed, and I think if they do decide to go with the 1A-1B, it does throw
17:03
a lot of teams off because most goalies catch left-handed. But I still think they should go with Ingram
17:10
He was great last year in the second half, won the Masterton Trophy. He's under contract for the next two years
17:17
And Vamalka's entering the last year of his deal. So I think it's a really make-it-or-break-a-year for Vamelka if he wants to be the starter going forward
17:25
Yeah, and it's also a – this is probably one of the cheapest tandums in the league right now
17:30
because you're going like to see some of these other teams that have like goalies that are in six
17:35
seven million And they like 2 and then 1 That that pretty good under four million for both your goaltenders And if both can do it I think I think the defense is going to really make a big difference Because you know you looking at the guys that they brought in They all going to help in front of the net especially Cole who really good at boxing out and being physical being that physical presence in the crease
18:02
So that's a big thing. Marino, I said, he was one of that shutdown, really good shutdown guy for the devils
18:09
And if he can pair nicely with Valmacki, I think you've got a really good
18:14
group on defense that's going to help the goal thinning out quite a bit
18:19
All right. Let's talk about the division because the central division is probably not the toughest division
18:26
but it is pretty tough. When you're looking at some of the teams at the top, you're looking at Winnipeg
18:31
You've got the Colorado Avalanche. You've got the Dallas stars. I mean, these are all really good teams
18:36
Maybe it is a really tough division. But you also got the Blackhawks, which, I mean
18:41
they'd probably be better this season with the additions they've made. Parker, what do they stack up in here
18:47
Are they still in that bottom part, or do you see a world where they actually kind of push for that
18:54
I don't want to say top three in the division because that's pretty big, unless you think so
19:00
I think if they are making the playoffs, they're in that wild card position
19:04
What do you think? Yeah, I think they're right between that four or five spot in the central
19:08
I think Nashville, their offseason was incredible, bringing in Stamcoast, Marcia, so, Brady Shea
19:14
Colorado is always going to be good. They won the Cup in 2022. Winnipeg is great
19:19
Dallas. And so those are, it's really, it's going to be really tough for them to finish within the top three, like you said
19:25
I think the ideal spot for them is probably top five, which then makes it tough for them
19:30
to get a wild card spot. But I think in the best scenario for them, like in the perfect world, it's a top four finish
19:36
in the central. But I think they'll finish in the fifth spot in the central probably
19:41
Yeah, it's a really, really tough group of teams right at the team. top, especially with the Jets, stars, and avalanches
19:47
They're all fighting with 100-point seasons last season. So if you want to touch them, you're probably going to have to hit 100 points
19:54
which is pretty crazy. Chase, do you agree with that? Are they in that four or five position
20:00
I think that's a good placement. Obviously, Dallas is your first, and then you also have Colorado of Nashville
20:07
Like Parker said, Nashville had a great off-season. Gottero, Coyote's legend, Scott Wedge, would not fold as well
20:14
You know, he's a great backup. That's going to be a solid tandem
20:19
And then you come to the Jets and the Wild and Utah
20:23
And I think the Jets have really kind of, I didn't really care for their offseason
20:28
We'll see how they do. And again, they have a new coach
20:32
So that could make it or break it. So four or five, you know, I think the Wild
20:38
I think until the pre-saysa-suder contracts are off the books, I don't really see them as a great team right now
20:44
but you also have to look at the Pacific Division and see how their wild card spots are going to shape out
20:50
because even number five could get you into a playoff spot. I think that's entirely possible because I thought L.A. had a really bad off season
20:59
And I think, you know, with their struggles as of late and I'm not a big fan of their new head coach either
21:05
I think Utah could potentially steal one of those wild card spots
21:09
I think last year I had them right outside the playoffs. I said they would miss by a couple points
21:14
and we'll see what happens this year. But I'm going to have them in either the four or five spot
21:20
I think right now, I think they're like right there with Winnipeg
21:24
But I think, you know, both wild card spots this year go to the Central Division, in my opinion
21:30
Yeah, I think so too. I mean, the Pacific, there's some question marks there with some of the teams
21:35
I mean, I don't think obviously Anaheim and Santos, they aren't going to be contending at all
21:40
But you're looking at the flames who probably aren't going to be good either. You know, a lot of the top teams there are going to be, you know, the Canucks, Oilers, Golden Knights, and the Kings
21:52
So you got the four there and the Central is going to take up and take the rest, like you said
21:57
So it's going to be interesting, I think, for a lot of the teams in the Central because I think the Blackhawks are going to be a much better team this year
22:04
I seem like they want to be because what the guys they brought in
22:08
And, of course, the coyotes, Utah, Utah. This is going to take me a bit to kind of
22:14
I'm going to call them the coyotes. Utah going to be right in there too because they made moves to possibly be there as well
22:23
So it's going to be interesting for sure. All right. Let's move to our quick fire round
22:28
Now these are just quick answers. You can, of course, expand a little. You don't have to just say the name and we'll move on, but pretty quick
22:36
So I'll start with you, Park, on this first one. What's the biggest storyline question mark going into this season for Utah
22:42
I think it's being consistent. Like you mentioned earlier, the 14 game losing streak
22:47
and then they had times where they defeated the past five Stanley Cup champions in order
22:51
Like it was just such a crazy year with relocation and everything going on
22:56
I think now that they're settled in Utah, there won't be as much. There will be stressed because it's a new team, new season, new arena
23:02
But I think consistency is going to be the biggest question mark going into next year
23:07
Yeah, I agree with that. Chase, what about you? I have two quick ones
23:13
I think one is the middle of the season, kind of like what Parker said
23:17
Can they keep it consistent? They had a great start. They had a great ending
23:21
Horrible middle part. You have to have a solid all across parts of the season
23:27
And also, you know, I think a lot of people are kind of underlooking this, but they're
23:31
moving into a NHL-sized facility for the first time in two years
23:34
Some of these players haven't played in a big facility on a consistent basis
23:40
is in two seasons. I think that is mentally challenging sometimes. I think it should be interesting
23:46
You know, also adjusting to a new lifestyle, new life format. We'll see if that maybe hurts them in the beginning of the season
23:53
It should be interesting to see. That is a big thing. I have an arena that actually has a full fan base
24:02
It's going to be interesting with some of these guys that have only played at Mullet Arena
24:07
which, you know, some of the prospects have, right? All right, moving on a breakout star for this season
24:14
Parker, what do you got? I'm going to go with Dylan Gunther. I mean, he was electric when he was recalled back up from Tucson, 35 points and 45 games
24:24
You know, you can't ask much more from a guy that played a majority of the season in the HL
24:29
There was an all-star there. I think him and Logan Cooler are going to be a great duo this year
24:33
So I'm going to go with Gunther. Yeah, definitely see that. Chase, what about you
24:38
I think that's a good one. I'm going to go and change it up. I think Josh Stone could really take it off this year
24:45
I think if he has a hot start, I think he'll continue to take that and run with it
24:49
Again, it depends who he's paired with. Most likely it's going to be McBain again
24:54
We'll see. But again, I really liked him when he came up
24:57
I thought he played well all around. And attorney said he played really good all around two
25:02
So I think he's going to be the breakout star, honestly. That's my pick
25:07
I wrote a premium piece for the substack. and he was one of my picks of guys that had great HL seasons
25:14
and they're going to end up having a great NHL season this year. So I agree with you on that one
25:20
All right, a player that needs to bounce back this season. There are a few names that, of course, probably come to mind here
25:28
Parker, who needs to bounce back the most? I'm going to go with Barrett Hayton
25:33
I mean, if they're looking to bring back that first line of Keller, Hayden, and Schmaltz, he's got to be number one healthy
25:38
hopefully he stays healthy. But, yeah, 10 points in 33 games. He suffered two injuries last year
25:46
I'm going to go with Barrett Hayden. It's a good one. Chase, who needs to bounce back
25:52
Man, this one maybe catches a little bit of flak, but I am going to go with Lawson Krauss
25:58
I didn't really care for his season this year, 42 points and 81 games
26:02
I don't think that's the best he can play, and especially towards the end of the season
26:06
He really trailed off. I think he can be better in the 42 points
26:10
I think he can be better in the 45 points, which is his career high. Again, I think the last part of the season for him really, like, drug on him
26:19
I think that really like was what was wrong with his season
26:23
I think he could have easily spast his 45 points. Again, we'll see what happens
26:27
But I'm going to go with Lawson Krauss. Yeah, I think he has a lot more upside to his game
26:33
I think he can be a 60, 70 point guy. And if that's the case
26:37
to add to the other guys. That a pretty good one for sure All right I stay with you Chase A guy that could be an X factor this season Ooh I think there a lot of players Obviously you can go with some obvious ones like Keller and
26:53
Surgichet and some of the other new guys. I'm actually going to go with Logan Cooley. I think he had a
26:58
great second half to the season. Once he was paired with Dylan Gumpter, like I said, he really took off
27:04
and Turney really liked that pairing. And we'll see if he can get lost in Krause going on that
27:08
line and again. Again, I think Logan Cooley's first half this season was a bit
27:15
underwhelming. And if he can really continue his offense, which he produced basically
27:20
January after, he can really be a huge part of the sport group. Yeah, I mean, his rookie
27:28
season was great. If he can be a little, not just a little better, even a little better
27:33
it would be a big difference in this team for sure. Parker, who do you got as an X factor
27:37
Yeah, I hate to give the boring answer, but I'm going to go with Clayton Keller. He's been there all along
27:43
You know, he tied Kichuk with 86 points a few years back. He's their guy
27:47
I mean, he's going to need the, they're going to need him in their first year in Utah
27:51
And if he gets named captain, that's even more pressure on him to be their X factor this year
27:57
Yeah, well, he definitely has it in him. His last couple seasons have been great
28:01
And he's a star. He's their, basically their face of the franchise, right
28:05
And it's the new franchise. as well. All right, let's talk about some rookie prospects. Parker, who do you see
28:13
potentially surprising in making this team? There's not a lot of spots to be had, really
28:18
with some of the young guys that are probably going to make the team, but who could surprise
28:23
and do that? I'm going to go with a little bit of a change up here. I don't know if many people
28:27
know, but I'm going to go with Sam Lipkin. He was a seventh round pick by the coyotes in
28:32
2021 and was a national champion with the Quinnipiac Bobcats in college hockey
28:37
I think he's, he only played seven games in Tucson this year. But if he can get, you know, off to a hot start at camp
28:45
And I was watching many of the games last year. And the announcers were very surprised with how well he was doing for a seventh round pick
28:52
He had 43 points the year they won the national title. And I think he might surprise some people this year
28:59
I love seventh round picks. making a name for themselves because they're not expected to, and I love that
29:06
Chase, so who do you have surprising and making the team? I'm going to have to go with one that may maybe many don't really see coming
29:15
I'm going to say Akuratu, you know, two seasons ago, and he wasn't really doing much
29:20
He had 22 points in 56 games of Carpat and the Liga, transfers over with Ives and
29:25
plays 40 or puts up 42 points in 53 games, and that's what really pushed the
29:30
chatios at that time to sign him. And then first few with the roadrunners, you know, everyone's talking about Josh Joan
29:38
Dylan Gunther, Michael Kessel Ring, and Akiratu really had a great season
29:43
44 points in 55 games, 15 of them goals. And I played one game
29:49
Unfortunately, kind of overshadowed, like I said, previously by the last game in Arizona
29:54
I had a point in that game. I thought he played well during that game. I think he plays a complete all-round game
29:59
he might slide in, you know, somewhere around the middle of the season, maybe to begin
30:04
the season. Tourney was impressed with him in his call-up. So we'll see
30:08
But again, either or if he sticks in Tucson, if he goes to Utah, I think he should have another
30:13
productive year. I'll give a shout out to Julian Lutz as well because he could be, you know, a decent part of
30:20
this team soon. I love those names. We'll see. We'll see who can do that for sure
30:26
All right. moving to prospects that probably won't make the team, but are obviously worth watching
30:32
Chase, who are you or who are you watching and who should people be watching as well
30:37
There's a lot of them. I mean, you can go with some ones that are going to be just down south of their
30:42
pre-existing home, Maverick Lammer Rail, Akuratu again, Julian Lutz again, as Parker mentioned, Sam Lipkin
30:50
I'm going to go with one that isn't going to probably be in Tucson
30:55
I'm going to go with T. Ginnla, you know, obviously with a lot with the name and everything. That's a huge one to
31:01
look out for. Obviously, it was Utah's first round pick. So they're going to watch him closely as
31:07
you know, he was kind of the first Utah drafted player. All he knows is Utah. So that should
31:12
be fun. And he had a great year last year. And he was always exciting to watch in WHL
31:17
So I'm excited to watch him again and should be fun. And maybe towards the end of the year
31:21
now he did sign his entry level deal a couple weeks months ago he might come down and you're
31:27
to a two-star in Utah you never know yeah it's going to be exciting to watch i mean there's so
31:33
many prospects that you could pick prob so i got a really solid prospect cool uh Parker who what about you
31:39
who are you watching um to go with one of their 2023 second round picks uh goalie michael
31:45
brable uh he played with umass minut man in college hockey this year and he posted a 2.5 9
31:51
goals against average. 0.912, say percentage, 16, 12, and one record. He's great
31:58
He's 6 foot 6. He's a big body in the net. And I know we have Ingram and we have the Melka right now
32:03
But in a couple years, I mean, I mean, he could be up. He could be a great piece for them
32:08
I'm going to go with him. Yeah, Michael Robo. I think he's going to, he's the goaltender of the future
32:14
And that he's going to be a heck of a, heck of a goaltender in the NHL when he gets here
32:19
All right. I'll package these two together. I, Chase, where they, who's leading the team in scoring and then give us a bold prediction
32:28
or a hot take for this season. I think I'm going to go with the boring answer for the first one
32:33
I think playing Keller leads this team easily. I mean, come on. He's the best player by far
32:39
There's no doubt about it. You know, unless he gets hurt, knock on wood, hopefully that doesn't happen
32:46
I think it's going to be playing Keller. In terms of bold predations for this season, I don't want to be boring
32:51
because I do think this team makes the playoffs. I don't think I'm the only one that thinks that at this point
32:55
I think they do slip in. So I'm going to go with the bold prediction that go with the bold prediction
33:05
They add someone at the deadline. It doesn't have to be someone massive. It could be someone minor
33:11
Because, again, they haven't really added anyone at the deadline. They've only subtracted ever since, you know, Bill Armstrong came into his GM position
33:20
and they've only subtracted. So I think they add someone, you know, could be just a bottom six forward
33:25
could be a bottom six, or sorry, bottom two defensemen, could be even a third string goal tender
33:31
but I think they add someone. Yeah, they haven't done that in a while
33:36
It's always selling at the deadline. Parker, do you agree? Is that
33:41
is it going to be Clayton Keller all the way for leading the team of scoring
33:45
and then give us a bold prediction? Yeah, I'm going to go with Keller. Sorry
33:49
to anyone that was hoping for something else. But he's been the guy the past few years
33:55
But my bold take is I think Dylan Gunther is going to lead the team and goals this year
33:59
Once he found his stride on the top power play unit, his shot was just, it was so electric
34:07
Wicked wrist shot. I think he's going to be really good on that top power play unit with Keller Schmaltz
34:13
They'll probably keep Jersey on the quarterback there on the first unit. I think I'm going to go with Gunther on goals
34:20
I like that. I think I'll do a bold prediction. I think Dylan Gunther is going to have a 30 goal season this year
34:27
I feel like he's, yeah, that shot is just deadly. And if he can get that going and that line can be just as good as they were at the end of the season
34:36
I think he's a 30 goal score. So that's my bold take
34:40
If that's bold, I don't know if it is. People may think he's maybe at least a 20, but I think he's a third
34:46
30 goal score. I think in his prime he's a 40 goal guy. So we have 100%. Yeah
34:53
And he's only 21. So lots of years left for him. All right
34:57
Well, thanks, Chase Parker for coming on on the show and talking the Utah hockey club
35:02
I almost said the coyotes again. And hopefully they get an actual name pretty soon
35:08
We're not too much longer. But it's going to be an exciting season
35:13
So make sure of checking out all of our coverage at thehockey arts. Parker and Chase are covering the team really, you know, great and Cooper as well
35:21
A great team of writers moving from the coyotes to Utah. So make sure checking out all that
35:27
And also the substack, which also gives you all the great articles that come out too
35:33
So make sure I'm checking all that out. Until our next preview, we'll see you next time
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