According to David Panotta of thefourthperiod.com, the Utah Hockey Club/Mammoth/ Outlaws intend to add, and plan on spending big going into the 2025-26 campaign. Now, we aren’t talking about just any free agents, but rather big-time names like Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner. These talented, soon-to-be free agents could move the team’s rebuild to where they want to go. A Cup-contending NHL team. Here’s an examination..
The available cap space will allow Utah to offer both of the above-mentioned free agents the salary they seek. Rantanen has made it known he wants a contract in the eight-year $14 million AAV range. Marner’s magic number would be more in the eight-year $16 million AAV range. If Utah can sign one or the other, they would still have cap space to function. The salary cap limits have been raised for the next three seasons. Increasing to $95.5 million for 2025-26 helps teams afford the demands free agents desire in a new contract.
Whatever GM Bill Armstrong pulls off later this season, he will have the financial backing he lacked while in Arizona. He may contemplate selling off pending UFAs like Alexander Kerfoot ($3.5M), Nick Bjugstad ($2.1M), Ian Cole ($3.1M), and Olli Maatta ($3M). That amounts to another $11.7 million if these free agents aren’t re-signed.
The next question is, how interested would either player be in playing in Utah? If money is the only motivation and the Utah Hockey Club can offer it, the players must decide what’s best for them.
The two players are big-time stars in the NHL. Marner has 210 goals, along with 500 assists in 609 career games. This season, he has added 16 goals and 55 assists. He is on pace for 110 points. The production he has displayed could catapult the Utah club into playoff contention almost instantly. Marner could be put on a line with Clayton Keller, and even if Barrett Hayton is at center, that line could be the best first line.
The same applies to adding Rantanen. He has tallied 288 goals and 395 assists in 625 career games. The current season shows him with 26 goals and 40 assists. He is on pace to score 98 points this season.
The big question will be whether Marner or Rantanen wants to sign with a new franchise like Utah. Many observers feel Marner and the Leafs will come to a contract agreement before the summer free-agent deadline. He loves playing in Toronto, especially with his linemate, Auston Matthews. If the Utah team signs Marner, could he also influence Matthews to sign there? Matthews is signed through the 2027-28 season and, of course, grew up following the Arizona Coyotes, who are now the Utah Hockey Club. That may be all fantasy since it seems both Marner and Matthews will be Maple Leafs for a long time.
Rantanen seems more interested in receiving what he deserves in another contract. The Utah club can afford his salary demands, and he, too, would increase their chances of qualifying for the postseason and being a competitive force. He plays center, and it has been a long time since the former Coyotes had a dominating center. Pairing him with Keller would be an incredible line, and throwing in Dylan Guenther on the same line would make it formidable.
The ownership group led by Ryan Smith intends to be a “serious contender” this summer. Financial support always helps when putting a Cup-contending team on the ice. Hockey is starting to receive fan support in Utah, and once the Delta Center is done being remodeled to hold more fans without sight issues, things could take off. Having a winning team will certainly obtain additional fan support. General manager Bill Armstrong will have numerous draft picks over the next three seasons. Attracting free agents of the caliber of Rantanen and Marner would include how the team will progress going forward.
If a free agent notices that a team like Utah is up and coming with young, talented players, they will be encouraged to join. Now, time will tell what the two top players decide about their future. If one or the other chooses Utah, expect to see the standings in the NHL include a Utah team near the top.
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