There’s always a time in the NHL offseason when the wind slows, and the constant feed of signings and trades slows down, and that’s where we sit in mid-July. Typically, things halt after the NHL Draft and the first couple of days of free agency as teams and players prepare for the upcoming season. General manager Bill Armstrong has put Utah in an exciting position as they will likely compete for a playoff spot.
Related: Utah’s Young Core Enters Year 4 of Rebuild With High Hopes
Of course, expectations need to be tempered as they are not a Stanley Cup contender yet, but they can sneak into a wild-card spot if all goes well. We’ll touch on that later in this piece, but first, we’ll hit on Barrett Hayton’s extension with the team and its significance, which is getting overlooked by many.
Without further ado, here’s the first Utah news and rumors piece looking into the lens as the 2024-25 season draws closer and closer.
Barrett Hayton Looking to Surge in 2024-25
At times in his career, Hayton has looked like a superstar, living up to the hype that a first-round pick brings, and more so a fifth-overall pick. Injuries have gotten the best of him recently, having missed 71 games in the past three seasons, which is certainly not a recipe for success in the NHL. Earlier this summer, he inked a two-year deal with Utah, staying in the mix for the foreseeable future.
“We are very pleased to sign Barrett to an extension,” Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Barrett is a reliable two-way center who is strong in the face-off circle, and he is a great complement down the middle to our high-skilled forwards. We look forward to having him back with our organization.”
Hayton is unstoppable when he’s on his A-game and was put on display during the 2022-23 season when he notched 43 points in 82 games. Much credit to teammates Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, who became a dynamic line you want on the ice in all scenarios. Of course, he must stay healthy; this is the key to success this season for Hayton, and playing all 82 games will be a big step in the right direction.
Connor Ingram Has a Chance to Have Massive Season in Utah
The Arizona Coyotes have previously had tons of top-notch goaltending talent: Mike Smith, Darcy Kuemper, Adin Hill, and the list goes on and on. While those aren’t Carey Price or anything of that talent measure, their Arizona tenures were greatly remembered. Last…
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