It’s been a tough few years for the Utah Hockey Club, but they’ve only been a team for two months. Born out of the turmoil surrounding the Arizona Coyotes, Utah is the NHL’s newest franchise and is already looking to make waves.

While the roster is still largely Coyotes, Utah has worked hard to create a roster they can call their own. They’ve added Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino and Ian Cole to their defensive group and should see significant growth from their young forwards.

This newfound positivity within the organization, plus the groundbreaking additions, has analysts believing that something special is happening in Utah. According to NHL Network’s Mike Rupp, Utah is a team that could sneak its way into the playoffs.

“I think the team is in a good position to make the playoffs this season,” Rupp said. “I think their offseason moves are great.”

Rupp discussed those three defensive additions and what they bring to Utah, as well as forward Kevin Stenlund. Stenlund, who just won a Stanley Cup championship with the Florida Panthers, not only brings significant experience, but he should be tough to skate with.

“We know what he did in Florida,” Rupp said. “I think he’s going to be tough to play against. That’s the biggest thing the Coyotes, now Utah, have to be: tougher to play against.”

For more than a decade, the Coyotes have been a cakewalk for opponents. Since 2012, the Coyotes have made the playoffs once, thanks to an expanded 24-team bubble playoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In virtually every season, including the shortened 2019-20 season, the Coyotes finished in the bottom half of the Pacific Division.

Now, with a fresh look, a new city, better ownership, better skaters and higher morale, the Utah Hockey Club might just make the playoffs in its first year of existence.

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