After finishing the game with a record of 38-31-13 and having only 7 points outside the playoff spot, Utah Hockey Club is not expected to be second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. However, the unexpected happened because the New York Islanders won the first overall draft pick with the top 10 odds, and a few minutes later, Utah won the second draw, which lifted them 10 positions to choose to be fourth, rather than fourth in the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles from June 27-28, rather than 14th.
Utah will be ranked fourth overall
Last season, in the first draft of the franchise, the team won the sixth pick, which they used to choose Tij Iginla. They also traded with the Colorado Avalanche to pick No. 24, where they chose Cole Beaudoin. The franchise dates back to their days as Arizona coyotes and never chose a fourth place. Not to mention, Utah is fixed at No. 14 overall.
But General Manager Bill Armstrong has experienced this number. In 2022, the Coyotes chose Logan Cooley’s overall third place, while in 2023, they chose Dmitri Simashev’s sixth place. His staff have also looked at most prospects that are expected to make the top ten. This may be the new view of Utah, but it’s what they prepare for.
“We’re going to switch and go into a new world to see the top of the draft and see a quarter of the slide,” Armstrong said. “The good news for us is that we’ve done it before. We’ve chosen it in that range over the last few years, so that will help us prepare for it. I think the simple fact is that our staff are really good at always focusing on what’s out there and doing a great job in the year. Now we’re going to do it and stand out tomorrow.”
Notable fourth-plus draft picks include Stanley Cup champions Alex Pietrangelo, Cale Makar, Bowen Byram, Steve Yzerman and Lanny McDonald. Recently, Will Smith, Seth Jones, Luke Hughes, Brady Tkachuk, Mitch Marner and Lucas Raymond are all fourth.
This is a great season for Utah. Although they did not make the playoffs, there was a significant improvement in the inaugural season. The entire lineup had breakthrough performances, and during the reconstruction period, the team scored a record of over .500 for the first time, and they managed to grow a large fan base in their first season at Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, the Utah selection will also be a disappointing, tragic season in most cases.
“If you look at the draft, you’re going into the four, it’s a tough year, it’s a tough year, going through this struggle, just being able to get into that range, at two-quarters speed,” Armstrong said. “We don’t have to do that. We’re a pretty good team, chasing the game, playing meaningful games and chasing the playoff spots. We’re becoming a really good team and they’re going to have a chance to get into the playoffs. Not only do we know that we have a really good team in front of us, but our facts are our facts, but we can do it in four areas, and we can play in four areas and win in four areas.
A quarter of Utah will join impressive prospects, including Simashev, Iginla, Beaudoin, Maveric Lamoureux, Daniil, Daniil and Michael Hrabal, as well as the strong young core of Cooley and Cooley, which consists of Cooley, Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, Miikhail Sergachachev and Seanean durzi and Seanean durzi.
Related: Kailer Yamamoto revitalizes his career in Utah
However, the draft will not change Armstrong’s timeline. He plans to give Utah a strong season this year while still amassing talent through the draft. Now, he and his staff will have the opportunity to consider some high-end talent.
“Our goal this year is to have a strong team with a chance to make the playoffs, which may compete, and at the same time, we’re back to the draft with all our picks and swings,” Armstrong said. “We have the ability to do that, and that’s what we intend to do. A choice doesn’t change our franchise. There’s a lot of higher quality talent, so we’ll look at it better. We’re going to look at it carefully. We have to fall down, get off work, really get the job done tomorrow, but now we’re going to celebrate and celebrate some work.”
They may also consider swapping draft picks for players that can help the team compete immediately. Armstrong said they will do their best. With Utah entering the cusp of the playoffs, it’s worth considering.
Who can rank fourth overall in Utah?
If Utah maintains a draft pick, there are some good options. Hockey writer’s His own Dayton Reimer’s Anton Frondell ranked fourth overall. Frondell played with Djurgårdens, if a hockey player and scored 25 points in 29 matches in one of Sweden’s best hockey leagues. He has been injured since the season, but he has been doing well due to his high hockey IQ and being able to play in all three areas. TSN’s Bob McKenzie also ranked fourth. As the center, he might be their first choice.
Anton Frondell (2025) Breaking Ankle Here in 5 Countries pic.twitter.com/7MPC68ZO9T
– Cam Robinson (@hockey_robinson) February 5, 2025
thwPeter Baracchini put Porter Martone in fourth place. Marton played with Brampton Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League and scored an impressive 98 points in 57 games this season. This is his second consecutive goal in 60 games in 2023-24 with 71 consecutive games. His quick hands, net champion presence and ability to be under opponents’ skin enhance his ranking.
Matong is here! 🐟😍
this #NHLDRAFT Qualified Captain Steelheads Porter Martone tore early @ohlsteelheads Upwards 1-0!#ohl | @chlhockey pic.twitter.com/wtvcgtiv4p
— Ontario Hockey League (@ohlhockey) October 27, 2024
“We’re picking around and there’s some talent that’s sure to show,” Armstrong said. “We’re excited to go to work and attack it and see what could happen. There are a lot of players.”
For the Utah General Manager, that excitement has not sunk.
“It’s just an amazing moment,” Armstrong said. “To be honest, this really didn’t sink.
It will be a huge draft for the franchise and its fans. Armstrong noted that this lottery will always be remembered in Utah’s history.
“Often you sit in these things, sometimes no one moves, or you’ll bump into a place and get unhappy when you go home,” Armstrong said. “But we will never forget this moment. It’s really a good time in a franchise.”
The draft may play a major role in helping build the team into a perennial contender. For the front desk staff who helped build this team from the ground, such a high draft was a reward. For fans, they can see another senior forward helping to bring the Stanley Cup to Utah. The youngest franchise in the NHL has to do a lot. Armstrong said the best thing is: These are really exciting moments.
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