Utah Hockey Club Makes NHL Draft Splash With Trade for Sergachev, Marino

Ryan Smith’s Vision for Utah Hockey Club’s Gradual Rebuild ShiftsRyan Smith’s Vision for Utah Hockey Club’s Gradual Rebuild Shifts In a surprising turn of events, Utah Hockey Club, the NHL’s newest franchise, has accelerated its rebuild plans. Initially, owner Ryan Smith indicated a gradual approach, emphasizing adaptability. However, during the recent NHL draft, Utah made several major trades, acquiring star defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino. Smith’s Statement “I like the position we’re in,” Smith said. “And that’s something we’re always paying attention to. And that’s the plan, until it’s not the plan anymore.” Blockbuster Trades On Saturday, Utah acquired Sergachev from Tampa Bay and Marino from New Jersey. These moves significantly bolster the club’s defense. Removal of Restrictions Under former Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo, financial restrictions limited Utah’s spending. However, Smith’s ownership has removed these constraints. Draft Day Maneuvers Utah entered the draft with 13 picks and used them strategically. After selecting Tij Iginla at No. 6, they traded up to acquire Cole Beaudoin at No. 24. Balancing Ambition Despite the team’s progress, Smith remains mindful of balancing enthusiasm and patience. “You’re managing conflicting emotions at all times,” he said. “For example, you want to win now, but you also want to win in the long term.” Bright Future Utah Hockey Club has generated significant excitement, selling 30,000 season tickets. With a young and promising roster, the future looks promising. “The future looks very bright,” Smith said. “After this weekend, it will be even sunnier.”

LAS VEGAS — Ryan Smith, the energetic and determined owner of the NHL’s newest franchise, perhaps telegraphed the Utah Hockey Club’s approach when asked to assess the timeline of his team’s gradual rebuild.

“I like the position we’re in,” Smith said. “And I think that’s something we’re always paying attention to. And that’s the plan, until it’s not the plan anymore.”

Smith made his comments on Friday, less than an hour before the first round of the NHL draft. Some 18 hours later, and about a half hour into the second round on Saturday, it was clear that Utah’s plans had shifted noticeably in the fast lane since Arizona’s move to Salt Lake City.

Two trading minutes apart on Saturday, Utah acquired two-time Stanley Cup champion Mikhail Sergachev from Tampa Bay in a blockbuster move and got fellow defenseman John Marino from New Jersey.

“I woke up this morning after sleeping for just over two minutes and said, ‘Let’s shock the world,’” said CEO Bill Armstrong.

The restrictions that existed under former Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo have been removed by Smith. The 46-year-old made his fortune in the tech sector and is now transforming Utah’s sports landscape as owner of the NBA Jazz and MLS team Real Salt Lake.

A buzz went through the crowd at Sphere when NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly announced the Sergachev trade early in the second round. Utah sent defenseman JJ Moser, prospect Conor Geekie, a 2025 second-rounder and the 199th pick in this year’s draft.

Daly was back behind the microphone not long after to let the fans and the rest of the hockey team know that Utah wasn’t done yet. He got Marino and the Devils’ 153rd pick for the 49th pick and Edmonton’s 2025 second-round pick.

While Smith and Armstrong warned they wouldn’t just spend money once free agency begins on Monday, that didn’t mean they wouldn’t improve the team in other ways during the two-day draft weekend.

The club entered the draft with 13 picks, and Armstrong made good on his intention to use some of them as assets. After using the team’s first pick to select forward Tij Iginla – son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla – at No. 6, Armstrong traded three picks to Colorado, moving up 14 spots to select center Cole Beaudoin at No. 24.

“It’s worked out well, just the way we set it up,” Armstrong said.

By trading Sergachev and his $8.5 million annual salary through 2031, Tampa Bay could make room to retain longtime captain and face of the franchise Steven Stamkos, a pending free agent. The Lightning also sent forward Tanner Jeannot to the Kings in a separate move, freeing up money for defenseman Victor Hedman’s upcoming contract extension to keep him with the organization for the foreseeable future.

In Arizona, the Coyotes were known for being in a constant rebuilding mode, making the playoffs just once in the past twelve years, while moving from one arena to another before finally relocating to Salt Lake City in April.

It’s a whole new world in Utah, where the so-called Hockey Club has already generated 30,000 season-ticket sales (for this season) for a 16,200-seat hockey-ready basketball facility, the Delta Center — and not all of them directly across from the ice. A permanent name will be decided upon by 2025-26, with Utah HC, Blizzard, Mammoth, Outlaws, Venom and Yeti among six possibilities.

“We’re the youngest state (in terms of demographics) and we’re also the fastest growing. So when you look at both of those metrics, it’s something the NHL can look at and say, ‘Wow, like we made the right move,’” Smith said.

For Smith, it’s a matter of balancing his enthusiasm and patience.

“You’re managing conflicting emotions at all times. For example, you want to win now, but you also want to win in the long term. And you want to create this culture,” he said. “But we’re young and the future looks very bright.”

After this weekend it will be even sunnier.

AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

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