Utah Hockey Club’s General Manager Bill Armstrong and President of Hockey Operations Chris Armstrong speak at an end of season press conference at the Kearns Olympic Oval on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – While the 2025 NHL Draft is set to take place on Friday, free agency also looms in the immediate future. As of July 1, players will have the opportunity to begin meeting and signing new deals with clubs. So, what does that mean for the Utah Mammoth?
On Tuesday, General Manager Bill Armstrong provided some perspective on Utah’s approach and how that might impact who signs in Salt Lake City.
With more than $20M to spend in free agency, many reports have indicated that the Utah Mammoth intend to take a big swing this offseason.
David Pagnotta: Utah, Columbus and Anaheim are eager to make a splash this summer – The Fourth Period
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 25, 2025
While that’s very much in the realm of possibility, Armstrong expounded upon the team’s reality as one of the youngest rosters in the league that is still building towards making the playoffs, rather than competing for Stanley Cups.
“We’ve always believed that if the right free agent is there, we’ll sign them. Money is not an issue,” Armstrong said.
“We’re also at a point with the club though that it’s not our final piece we’re adding. We’re still building…most times you don’t win a championship until your guys are 27, 28 and 29…so we have to live in the reality of we’ve got good players, we’ve got to add players around, but we don’t need to sell the farm for a 31, 35-year-old to come in and clog our team up and then we can’t make the signing when we need it.”
Great perspective, but what does it mean?
As of right now, the majority of the Mammoth’s top talent is all under the age of 24, with the exception of Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev, who will both be 27 this year.
Notably, with the addition of Daniil But and Dmitri Simashev (both 20-years-old) to the roster next season, and a long list of prospects still in their teens, Utah needs to remain dedicated to adding players who more so fit their timeline.
Sure, Utah expects to make the playoffs next year, but competing for Stanley Cups? That window is still a ways off.
“There’s a little patience with our club because we are young, we are maturing right in front of your own eyes.” Armstrong explained.
“We’re going into high school next year, how does that sound? We’re going from the eighth grade to the ninth grade…you just want to be smart about it, and we do get excited about, we could add this guy, that guy, but not if it’s going to hurt us.”
Stepping into the offseason, Utah needs to add size, scoring, a true 2C and another goaltender.
Could they find that in free agency?
Potentially.
But let’s begin by addressing the Mitch Marner and Sam Bennett sweepstakes.
While these are two phenomenal players with elite talent, it’s highly unlikely that either of them ends up in Utah.
For Marner (28), he’s likely going to sign for more than $12M a year for at least four or five seasons on a contender.
That’s exactly the type of contract that Armstrong is trying to avoid based on his comments.
As for Bennett (29), he’d be a home run, but how many Conn Smythe Trophy winners are really leaving dynasties with a chance to threepeat?
So, where does that leave Utah?
A few free agents that could potentially make more sense for both parties are guys like Nikolaj Ehlers (29) and Brock Boeser (28) who offer scoring, a decent amount of size and friendlier contracts that don’t force you to “sell the farm.”
Brock Boeser, who’s a pending UFA, says he does not expect to return to the Canucks next season
(h/t @imacSportsnet) pic.twitter.com/yoXhnvCuf8
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 10, 2025
James Mirtle: Utah could be in big on Nikolaj Ehlers – The Athletic
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 11, 2025
In terms of goaltending, this free agent market is fairly dry, although guys like Jake Allen (34) and Ilya Samsonov (28) should be available and could offer fairly inexpensive, short-term contracts that might bridge the gap until Michael Hrabal is ready to make his NHL debut.
Like Armstrong said, Utah is young and developing which means they need to be wise with their wallet in order to continue building the right way.
As of right now, it appears that Jack McBain is the only pending free agent that Utah will bring back from last season.
While Michael Carcone confirmed during exit interviews that he and the club will go different directions, it also doesn’t make any sense for Utah to re-sign Nick Bjugstad or Robert Bortuzzo as they make room for Simashev, But and any other potential additions.
In terms of negotiations with McBain, Armstrong confirmed that they’re working towards a new deal, and both sides are on the “same page.”
Bill Armstrong on Jack McBain: “We’ve had great talks with Jack and his agency.”
“I think they’re very happy with how the talks have gone and we just make some further progress as we go along…I think we are both on the same page.”#TusksUp
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 24, 2025
“We’ve had great talks with Jack and his agency,” Armstrong said.
“I think they’re very happy with how the talks have gone and we just make some further progress as we go along…I think we are both on the same page.”
The simple answer?
Yes.
The trade market could honestly make a lot more sense for Utah given their deep pool of prospects and other assets.
With an inability to even sign as many prospects as they currently possess, dealing them for an immediate upgrade could be a legitimate option, and that would likely include the fourth overall selection if a trade materialized.
“Do you have to explore it [moving the fourth pick]? Yes. That’s part of my job,” Armstrong explained.
“At this process, every GM, especially the guys there in the top 10, are all jockeying around seeing can they move up, can they move down. What’s the best option for their club? We talk with GMs daily about that.”
As of right now, two players come to mind that would make a lot of sense for Utah given the right deal, a.k.a. “not selling the farm.”
With cap issues and the clock ticking on their window to compete, Dallas is reportedly listening to offers on Jason Robertson (25) to get a sense of the market.
A season ago, Robertson recorded 35 goals and 45 assists during the regular season.
“The Stars aren’t actively shopping him but are listening on him to educate themselves on the market and what teams might be willing to do at some point,” National Insider Pierre LeBrun reported. “Dallas correctly views his value as at its highest right now, given that he’s still signed for another year at $7.75 million on the cap. At the same time, the Stars are also trying to gauge Robertson’s camp, CAA, and [Robertson’s agent Pat] Brisson, to get a feel for what their ask would be on the next contract.”
According to other reports, the Buffalo Sabres are also shopping forward JJ Peterka (23), who registered 68 points last year.
While no connections have been reported between Utah and either of these clubs, these are two players who present proven scoring, room to grow and fit Utah’s timeline in terms of their age.
But overall, whether it’s through free agency, the draft or trade market, Utah’s front office is focused on improving the roster before the puck drops in October.
“We’re a team that has a lot of options because we’ve got some prospects in the house, we’ve got some picks and some extra picks the following year. So, there’s a lot of options for us, and we’re going to explore every option to make sure our teams a better team when we start to play in the fall,” Armstrong stated.
“There’s a little patience in the process that you have to have, and sometimes during that patience, you don’t win the summer, but you take a step in the fall and that’s what counts.”
Following the conclusion of the Utah Mammoth’s inaugural season, the next notable event will be the NHL Draft on June 27 and 28.
After recently drawing the fourth overall draft pick in the 2025 NHL draft, each of Utah’s upcoming draft selections will be dressed in the new Utah Mammoth home sweater.
Full story: Utah Hockey Club Draws No. 4 Overall Pick In 2025 NHL Draft Lottery
