Official 2024-25 Utah HC Season Discussion.

[Jakey53]

Honestly, we’re close. But, Simashev, Iginla, and Lamoureux will finish most of what we need off. Given our winger situation, I'm fine with a 2way, middle 6 center. Bennett, Compher, and Zacha would all be players I'd have interest in this offseason. Our blue line is set and Maccelli looks like he could wind up the next roster spot casualty, it's all about maturing the last of the new core.

I think Utah will have to get Cooley help in getting another top end C. Teams are going to start paying more attention to Cooley. The question is who is available and cost. I don't think Zacha will be available, I don't want Compher. Would love Bennett but I think Florida will find room for him.

 

[Mangosteen]

Is there confirmation But or Simashev are coming over next season?

Sim says he wants to but no confirmation. I don't think they can confirm till there season is over.

 

[YotesFan47]

Which is why I don't see But or Simachev starting off with the big club. Odds are they will be there well before the end of the season (TDL would be the optimal), but they're going to need time adapting to the NHL game.

I think they start with the club, but only see 50ish games in the 8-13 minute range. Something like this:

Keller - Cooley - Guenther
Crouse - Hayton - Schmaltz
Maccelli - McBain - Doan
But - Stenlund - Kerfoot
O'Brian

Sergachev - Marino
Maatta - Durzi
Cole - Kesselring
Simashev, DiSimone

That's a pretty reasonable lineup. Now if either one is not NHL ready, I absolutely agree they'll go to the A, or stay in Russia, but But seems like he may be near ready.

@Heldig we would be young, but we still need to work in Iginla the following season (before his injury he was looking soo good in the few games I caught).

I want to use Maccelli and a 2025 1st for a middle 6 center. Zacha could be a stellar option. He's rangy and moves pretty good. He's more of a passer than a shooter, but that's fine. If we can get 50ish points and solid defense out of him for 2 seasons, I'd be stoked.

Compher is really intriguing to me as well. I don't know what Detroit's appetite to move him would be, but he has a decent net front presence and plays well defensively.

Keller - Cooley - Guenther
Crouse - Hayton - Schmaltz
But - Zacha/Compher - Doan
Kerfoot - McBain - Stenlund
O'Brian

 

[TheLegend]

Training camp will answer these questions.

Of course it will Jakey..... duh.

But BA likes cook his prospects more than anything. The only reason why MavLam got time at the outset was because of injuries. He held his own for the first quarter of games but was going downhill fast after that before he got hurt himself.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Of course it will Jakey..... duh.

But BA likes cook his prospects more than anything. The only reason why MavLam got time at the outset was because of injuries. He held his own for the first quarter of games but was going downhill fast after that before he got hurt himself.

True dat, but you have to consider that MavLam hadn't played in the K.

 

[SpaceCoyote]

I think Moroz has a better chance of making the team out of camp than But realistically. He's a year older and contributes way more in the KHL. He leads his team in goals, top 10 goal scorer in the league, can play net front on powerplay, and not afraid to throw the body around.

But had a strong start to the season, since then has only had 2 goals since November while only playing 11 minutes a night on the 4th line. The most important thing for his development is getting him more ice time which means AHL.

 

[lanky]

It would be amazing to get both of them (and Simashev) over the pond. Even if all three were to start the year in Tucson.

 

[TheLegend]

True dat, but you have to consider that MavLam hadn't played in the K.

No..... but still I don't think he was expected to be on the big club at the start of the season either.

I'm not ruling out they make it if they come over. Bunch of stuff can happen between now and then. But BA has pretty much stuck to his plan since coming aboard (much to the chagrin of all teh impatient posters we have around here ) and I don't see it happening unless they absolutely knock everyone's socks off at camp.

 

[lanky]

No..... but still I don't think he was expected to be on the big club at the start of the season either.

I'm not ruling out they make it if they come over. Bunch of stuff can happen between now and then. But BA has pretty much stuck to his plan since coming aboard (much to the chagrin of all teh impatient posters we have around here ) and I don't see it happening unless they absolutely knock everyone's socks off at camp.

Cooley was a very notable exception. He's never been to Tucson. Cooley played a bit of hardball with Bill and he got a guaranteed roster spot out of it. KHL players are in a great position to get similar treatment. Bill will sleep much better when they're in NA and he might make some promises to get them here.

 

[Jakey53]

Of course it will Jakey..... duh.

But BA likes cook his prospects more than anything. The only reason why MavLam got time at the outset was because of injuries. He held his own for the first quarter of games but was going downhill fast after that before he got hurt himself.

There is no reason to rush anyone now. However, there always seems to be a surprise at training camp.

 

[TheLegend]

Cooley was a very notable exception. He's never been to Tucson. Cooley played a bit of hardball with Bill and he got a guaranteed roster spot out of it. KHL players are in a great position to get similar treatment. Bill will sleep much better when they're in NA and he might make some promises to get them here.

BA...... Bear..... and 99% of the posters in this forum will all sleep better.

Advantage both of them have is they're both on their early 20's and with three seasons worth of playing against men.

 

[Mangosteen]

I for one really, really hope BA proves me wrong. So many other players I would of taken.

 

[Jakey53]

I for one really, really hope BA proves me wrong. So many other players I would of taken.

I agree, but I think BA has earned the right for us to be patient.

 

[Heldig]

It would be amazing to get both of them (and Simashev) over the pond. Even if all three were to start the year in Tucson.

Agreed. Always nervous about Russian players until they are in NA.

 

[Kaizen]

I think Moroz has a better chance of making the team out of camp than But realistically. He's a year older and contributes way more in the KHL. He leads his team in goals, top 10 goal scorer in the league, can play net front on powerplay, and not afraid to throw the body around.

But had a strong start to the season, since then has only had 2 goals since November while only playing 11 minutes a night on the 4th line. The most important thing for his development is getting him more ice time which means AHL.

Moroz is under contract in the K through the 25-26 so he's less likely to be NA bound. Both of the 1st rounders contracts end this May. Maybe a buyout is an option for Moroz?

 

[SpaceCoyote]

Moroz is under contract in the K through the 25-26 so he's less likely to be NA bound. Both of the 1st rounders contracts end this May. Maybe a buyout is an option for Moroz?

According to Craig from last year in May 2024, "Moroz is still under contract for another year in his hometown (he’s Belarusian), and the Coyotes are perfectly content to let him develop in his situation where he will likely have even more opportunity than he has this season." I assume that means to contract is up at the end of this season.

Coyotes prospect report: Moroz, Lipkin, Musser

Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold was discussing the future of Coyotes prospect Sam Lipkin when he shifted subjects, unsolicited, to discuss Arizona's

gophnx.com

 

[lanky]

Signed through Apr 2026

Man of the Week: Vadim Moroz

KHL.ru’s weekly column continues with Vadim Moroz. The young Belarusian forward was awarded Best forward honors last week and is a key figure in Dinamo Minsk’s run of late. The Bison are currently on the top four of the Western Conference’s standin ...

en.khl.ru

 

[Coyotedroppings]

I don't see it happening unless they absolutely knock everyone's socks off at camp.

Rightly so

 

[Stanley Thermos]

I think Utah will have to get Cooley help in getting another top end C. Teams are going to start paying more attention to Cooley. The question is who is available and cost. I don't think Zacha will be available, I don't want Compher. Would love Bennett but I think Florida will find room for him.

Compher is a better payer than he often got credit for while in Colorado. However, he is just a 3C and we would quickly regret displacing even Hayton to slot him at 2C.

 

[YotesFan47]

I think Utah will have to get Cooley help in getting another top end C. Teams are going to start paying more attention to Cooley. The question is who is available and cost. I don't think Zacha will be available, I don't want Compher. Would love Bennett but I think Florida will find room for him.

I think Zacha will be available if we dangle our 1st and Maccelli. Boston would need to add something, like a 3rd, but I'd wager they'd be interested in a pick in the 10-18 range, and a young, high potential middle 6 scoring winger.

I was thinking, we should add Marchment as well. I'd also be interested in Boqvist.

Keller - Cooley - Schmaltz
Marchment - Zacha - Guenther
McBain - Hayton - Crouse
Boqvist - Stenlund - Kerfoot
Doan, O'Brian

Sergachev - Marino
Maatta - Durzi
Cole - Kesselring
Valimaki, DeSimone

Vejmelka
Ingram
Stauber

 

[TheLegend]

I think Zacha will be available if we dangle our 1st and Maccelli. Boston would need to add something, like a 3rd, but I'd wager they'd be interested in a pick in the 10-18 range, and a young, high potential middle 6 scoring winger.

I was thinking, we should add Marchment as well. I'd also be interested in Boqvist.

Keller - Cooley - Schmaltz
Marchment - Zacha - Guenther
McBain - Hayton - Crouse
Boqvist - Stenlund - Kerfoot
Doan, O'Brian

Sergachev - Marino
Maatta - Durzi
Cole - Kesselring
Valimaki, DeSimone

Vejmelka
Ingram
Stauber

Why would you start piling on vets if it's going to kick Josh Doan out of the lineup??

 

[Freakshow]

After watching a lot of these young guys get drafted by Bill Armstrong and Darryl Plandowski I really like the direction they're headed in. Whoever made the decision to just tear it down and start building through the draft is a genius. That's how you build a foundation. They floundered around for the better part of 25 years doing absolutely nothing as an organization, on the ice.

They still need another top six center, you've gotta build through the middle of the ice, defense and goaltending. Cooley will probably end up as the best player taken from the 2022 draft, a gift at #3 that year, great pick!! Guenther was another gift from the Vancouver Canucks, what a clown-show of an organization that is lol, sorry not sorry, he's gonna be another steal in the draft. Doan will turnout to be a really good energy guy in the middle six, another good second round pick. Not to mention they still have kids like Simashev, But and Hrbal from the 2023 draft and Iginla and Beaudoin from the 2024 draft, plus a plethora of potentially good young defensemen they took in rounds 2 thru 4 in 2024.

If we get another team in Arizona I'll most definitely follow them, but I'm really enjoying watching this team develop into something very good over the past four years!

 

[lanky]

Why would you start piling on vets if it's going to kick Josh Doan out of the lineup??

Daniil But might be ready to plug in and Iginla and Moroz could be very close too. I agree that adding multiple bottom-six vet wingers on multi-year deals is silliness.

A veteran winger is pretty low on our list of needs but if Bill can find a top line winger that fits the fast and heavy style he wants, then great.

 

[Summer Rose]

After watching a lot of these young guys get drafted by Bill Armstrong and Darryl Plandowski I really like the direction they're headed in. Whoever made the decision to just tear it down and start building through the draft is a genius. That's how you build a foundation. They floundered around for the better part of 25 years doing absolutely nothing as an organization, on the ice.

They still need another top six center, you've gotta build through the middle of the ice, defense and goaltending. Cooley will probably end up as the best player taken from the 2022 draft, a gift at #3 that year, great pick!! Guenther was another gift from the Vancouver Canucks, what a clown-show of an organization that is lol, sorry not sorry, he's gonna be another steal in the draft. Doan will turnout to be a really good energy guy in the middle six, another good second round pick. Not to mention they still have kids like Simashev, But and Hrbal from the 2023 draft and Iginla and Beaudoin from the 2024 draft, plus a plethora of potentially good young defensemen they took in rounds 2 thru 4 in 2024.

If we get another team in Arizona I'll most definitely follow them, but I'm really enjoying watching this team develop into something very good over the past four years!

I would say Don Maloney tried it first, but his hand was kind of forced in the sense that we were a bottom 5 team in the first place, so he figured he’d throw in the towel and try to finish as low as possible, only to get out tanked by Buffalo and lose the lottery to Edmonton. Then he got fired.

I admit I actually kind of liked some of John Chayka’s moves at first. Trading for Raanta and Stepan especially was a move I really liked at the time. Raanta turned out to not be able to handle a starter’s workload, but we got pretty lucky with Kuemper to make up for it. Acquiring Kessel was also a move I liked at the time. I think I had mixed feelings on getting Taylor Hall, but there are probably some posts I made back then that contradict that. I guess I can say that I appreciated that he was trying. Several years removed from his tenure, I think it’s safe to say that his attempt to “accelerate the rebuild” backfired pretty spectacularly, but that’s with having the advantage of hindsight.

I like what Bill Armstrong is doing so far after he had to basically tear things down and start from scratch. There is an argument to be made that he’s taking things too slowly and we should be a playoff team by now, but after John Chayka, I’m wary of trying too much to accelerate our rebuild.

 

[Freakshow]

I would say Don Maloney tried it first, but his hand was kind of forced in the sense that we were a bottom 5 team in the first place, so he figured he’d throw in the towel and try to finish as low as possible, only to get out tanked by Buffalo and lose the lottery to Edmonton. Then he got fired.

I admit I actually kind of liked some of John Chayka’s moves at first. Trading for Raanta and Stepan especially was a move I really liked at the time. Raanta turned out to not be able to handle a starter’s workload, but we got pretty lucky with Kuemper to make up for it. Acquiring Kessel was also a move I liked at the time. I think I had mixed feelings on getting Taylor Hall, but there are probably some posts I made back then that contradict that. I guess I can say that I appreciated that he was trying. Several years removed from his tenure, I think it’s safe to say that his attempt to “accelerate the rebuild” backfired pretty spectacularly, but that’s with having the advantage of hindsight.

I like what Bill Armstrong is doing so far after he had to basically tear things down and start from scratch. There is an argument to be made that he’s taking things too slowly and we should be a playoff team by now, but after John Chayka, I’m wary of trying too much to accelerate our rebuild.

Yes, agree, they tried it early in the Maloney era, 2007 to 2016, to build through the draft, but they were both unlucky in that they drafted in some poor talent years and they also made some bad selections. They also didn't do enough to gather as many picks as they could, just my personal opinion. Armstrong's made 42 picks in his five drafts as the Coyotes/UHC GM, Maloney took six drafts to select that many times, it's like an extra draft in one year less for Armstrong.

The Coyotes had three good years under Tippett, 2009/10/11, and then they just faded away again as they drafted poorly and made some poor decisions. I always thought Chayka was in over his head and he made more bad decisions than good, and it showed in the standings.

Anyway, I'm just glad to see them pick better, perhaps there's some luck involved there, but as they say, you've gotta be lucky to be good. Also, having played in the 80's with some guys in the organization, and against Plandowski when he played for the Lloydminster Lancers in the SJHL, I'll probably always follow them just for personal interest along with watching those kids get drafted and developed by the organization. Corey Schwab and I played together, he used to always get me free tickets, but those days are gone now....dang it!!