What Expectations Should We Have for Utah in Year One?

It's two days until the regular season begins and Utah will host the Blackhawks before heading out on the road.
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[@sekzsekz9880]

Really appreciate your content it's like listening to your dad talk to you at the dinner table about what is going on in the hockey world. It's the only way I would ever be in the loop with this sport.

[@AreYouKittenMeRtNow]

Couldn’t have said it better.

[@Wanup_Vodka]

He's a very calming presence and one of the best hockey broadcasters on any mediun

[@buffalofan7169]

But just imagine if Utah wins the Stanley Cup before they officially have a name and logo . That would be crazy

[@nickholmes5610]

Connor Ingram would need to channel his inner 2016 Matt Murray

[@JBTriple8]

Not the First in to happen in The NHA/NHL Cup history The Montreal Canadiens were founded Club de Hockey Canadien aka Canadian Hockey Club.

[@Synovit]

I wanna have high hopes for them, but expectations are low for sure

[@leftcoaster67]

I'm wondering if Winnipeg cursed the club.

[@BrotherAlpha]

I think they will fight for a playoff spot. I think they will be 9th or 10th in the conference and they could be within a couple of points of a playoff spot.

[@bajjanitor]

I expect them to be as good as 3rd in the division. I think their roster is so well constructed from top to bottom, forwards to goalies. Almost all of their players are in their prime and the few players that haven't quite entered it yet are well sheltered. And I'm sure they will get a massive bolt of energy playing in front of a new excited crowd.

[@geoffjohnson6555]

I can tell you as a local, we are extremely excited. Our owner is a diehard sports fan and isn't afraid to spend when necessary to make a push. If the team is on the cusp, he will spend and do what it takes to improve the roster. The game is going to be a packed house tonight, but many families like mine will be outside the Delta Center watching on the big screens at the all-day event they've organized with live music & games & giveaways and we'll all be cheering for our first puck drop here. It's gonna be a season to remember no matter how we finish, but we will absolutely live it up. Ryan Smith said just yesterday that he intends this team to be a huge part of our community for the next 30 years (and hopefully more) and to get the youth involved in hockey for the coming generations. Go Utah!

[@ShenmueAtheist]

Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I believe Utah makes it to the playoffs this year. There's a lot of enthusiasm around the team since they relocated.

[@soulknife20]

Ask yourself this. Would the Yotes make it to the playoffs this season with the exact same moves that the UHC made?

[@bajjanitor]

@@soulknife20 More or less. Why? You don't think the change of venue/crowd will improve the players performance?

[@hkpew]

@@soulknife20 Probably not. But ask yourself this. Would the Yotes have made the exact same moves if they'd still had the same ownership group? What kind of home ice advantage does Mullett Arena provide compared to the Delta Center? How much more likely is it that the new ownership will authorize additional moves if there's a clear need and a chance to meet it, even if it costs money? Do you think player satisfaction with the organization they are playing for has any effect on how well the team plays? (Things like stability, adequate practice facilities, better locker rooms, etc.) I don't think all of that adds up to turning them into an unstoppable force on ice, but it might provide the margin that allows them eke their way into the playoffs.

[@shellysmith1037]

hype doesn't equal performance.

[@BrotherAlpha]

@@soulknife20 No. HOWEVER, there should be a LOT more optimism in Utah than there was in Arizona and that should make a huge difference.

[@aussiekid3588]

Also by default, Utah HC already have heritage jersey concepts to use, as well as historic jerseys to make in the future. Ie Arizona Coyotes concepts and their current jersey concepts will be a heritage jersey concept in future years, once they have their main logo and mascot. Exciting to be fair and the Hockey Guy will have some jerseys to look forward to 🤙🤙

[@heathclark318]

Arizona stats, logo and history did not transfer to Utah. Either a new Arizona franchise will revive it or it will stay dormant. Though I think the early Winnipeg history tied to the Arizona move should transfer back to Winnipeg. Utah is being treated like an expansion team. ie Clayton Keller being the 1st ever captain of the Utah team

[@hkpew]

It's legitimate to feel bad for the Arizona fans because they weren't responsible for the really bad ownership they had. And it's certainly possible that the team would have improved this year even if they'd stayed in Arizona. But I expect that the team will do better this year in Utah than they would have done in Arizona had the sale not happened. Aside from the fact that they are probably not the same team as they would have been (since I doubt that they would have spent as much to improve the defense) there's likely to be a significant improvement in home ice advantage from playing in Utah. I'm not expecting them to be world beaters this season, but I give them a higher chance of making the playoffs than most people. It's a young team with multiple players who could have something like a breakout season. Unlikely that they'll all hit this year (or even ever), but the chances that one will are pretty decent. And it's not all that unlikely that multiple players will be noticeably better. Other than that, I clicked on this hoping to get your take on the Kailer Yamamoto signing, but I guess that happened too recently for you to have seen it.

[@meddyven]

With the former Arizona owner, Mereullo, completely abandoning bringing the franchise back, after the sale, had they not moved the team, this would have come anyway. Coyotes fans were shammed by bad owners, since their move from Winnipeg. Thpse folks were passionate,

[@williamford9564]

The crowd by itself should be good for at least 3 more wins this year.

[@918-Verax]

@hkpew Well, as a resident of Glendale, where the Coyotes played, our taxes went up, the water bill went up, and the cost of all city services went up due to NHL and ownership. Glendale citizens and City Council were really hoodwinked, bamboozled, and lied to. Best of luck, Utah Coyotes!

[@kgroves17]

Super excited for this season!

[@joeb2151]

I wonder if the new name/logo gets announced at the New Years game while the league has all the attention. Utah is going to be fun to watch this year. I hope they do well.

[@THEREDHOTWRECK]

I expect SLC to be in the mix for a future Winter Classic. Rice Eccles Stadium would be a great venue.

[@cassidypav]

yamamoto signed, i honestly think he’ll play in the nhl especially depending on injuries

[@taraburnett]

yeah as a Seattle fan I was really sorry we let him go but I hope he gets the chance to succeed here

[@benoitrobitaille5235]

I see them as competitive right now, but two to three moves away from being a playoff lock. Still 2.25 in buy out penalty and 8.37 in cap space, combined with the cap raise next season, it could be enough to get a true 1C, some goaltending, maybe some defensive depth. Shea Weber is still under contract, i know LTIR has value once you reached the cap, but i doubt it has much when you are 8 mil under … might wanna call Vegas.

[@mannyoliveira776]

Don't think they make the playoffs, but you're right they are a few pieces away from atleast competing for a WC potentialy early as next yr. However I don't think there is a #1 C for them or anyone next yr on the UFA market. A #2 C to play behind Cool for sure will be available - Duchen, Bennet, Girou, Granlnd, W.Karlssn, Nelsn, Tavare. They could also trade for R.Strom, Colemn, Jennr, L.Coutur, Henriq, Couturie, or Duboi. Not too far away from WC spot.

[@thunderhammerx2966]

Going with the singular plural on the team name makes it kinda lame. That only worked for the Kraken because that thing is a huge monster with 10+ giant arms.

[@christhornycroft3686]

Yeah, just go with the Soakers.

[@heathclark318]

Yeti sounds better than Yetis. Plus, you never see more than one at a time.

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

Kraken is the German plural of Octopus. 🐙

[@thunderhammerx2966]

@geoffroi-le-Hook according to a brief search, the German plural for oktopus is oktopoden or oktopusse. The Kraken is from somewhere in Scandinavia anyway and is a singular mythical creature similar to the Leviathan.

[@The_Room_2_Doggys_Revenge]

it kinda feels like when the Nordiques moved to Colorado. Now I don't expect Utah to win the cup, but just like Quebec, they were on the way up, generated more interest from the fans but then moved...

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

Québec was the #1 playoff seed their last year in the East.

[@jamessheeran4931]

The name should have been the swarm

[@mattblom3990]

100% They'll be called the "Utah Yeti". It makes every sense. Rolls off the tongue, simple, is one of the finalists, works with their colour scheme. Intuitively it just makes sense.

[@DVLD0GG98]

I just won free tickets to the inaugural game! brutal seats but just for the history im making the three hour drive!

[@CharlesConover]

Unbridled Epicness

[@catholicactionbibleonlyist1813]

Final playoff spot

[@meddyven]

This is a realistic possibility. As Shannon mentioned, getting off to a good start, is paramount. Should they come out of the first month at .500 or just above, that confidence level, will grow immensely. The Boston game, they could actually steal, with Swayman just signing, and won't be really up to speed for weeks.

[@g3ggles1]

Central looks a tough and competitive division along with Atlantic, I can see Utah finishing in a Wild Card spot if they can stay in the race or just short; hockeys back 🫶

[@michaelrudd1927]

Been saying Yeti since before they got the Yote lets go Yeets 😂

[@davkatjenn]

You said Ottawa, but we knew who you were talking about. No problemo.

[@mmavcanuck]

Utah makes the playoffs

[@heathclark318]

Durzi is RH. He would slot 1st pairing, Valimaki (LH) drops to 2nd pair with Cole dropping to 3rd pairing with Kesselring

[@pestmo]

Keller and Macelli are among the most entertaining players in NHL

[@JonathanSeagull13]

I agree, we haven't even seen the best out of them, this will be a very entertaining and exciting team to watch.

[@wadepittenger5661]

Please post another video soon of commissioner Gary calling you

[@justinfrankenfield466]

If they were Pacific division yes since they are in the central division I think they are in the wild card mix

[@TylerMorganShow]

Theyre in a brutal division

[@danieldosso2455]

I was really hoping for Mamoth, but still like Yeti, has a great alliteration to it

[@ukrainian.g.o.a.t.566]

Both names suck They should have went with Utah Beasts.

[@danieldosso2455]

@@ukrainian.g.o.a.t.566 well, I didn't think Beast was very good. Everyone has their own opinions

[@realtalk5931]

Utah Soakers?

[@JonathanSeagull13]

Yeti and Kraken are too similar mythical beings. I proposed Missionaires, knowing he Mormon influence, lol.

[@klompsauce]

Oh!

[@JacobLico]

Actually, new jersey has points. 4 of them to be exact

[@jasonstroup4123]

This is the second time an NHL franchise has relicated to the city I live in. Utah's situation is by far better than the Hurricanes was. At least we dont have to drive an hoyr and a half to watch games the first 2 years.

[@michaeltuvell5591]

where do you think Kailer is going to fit in.....

[@CIronbeard]

The only reason I could see them overturning the fan vote and not going with Yeti would be if there is some sort of legal issue with the name. But yeah best case scenario they make a wildcard bid for playoffs. They don't need to be great right away, we're just glad they're here.

[@vipeholmskolan6052]

Either only just miss the playoffs, or only just sneak in, I think.

[@aussiekid3588]

Remember when Quebec became Colorado? Just saying!!

[@aegis7843]

Utah seems to have players that learn from past years struggles and bring a tougher attitude to their game. A chip on their shoulder/nothing to lose attitude if you will. If only the sabres would do that.

[@Juniperberry9]

I think Mcbain is on that line to protect Cooley and Guenther. He will fight anyone in the league, and throws the body around

[@JD200_]

Should be challenging for WC spot

[@jackmakackov7077]

7th or 8th in central. No chance at playoffs.

[@judistzoinkiski3395]

@@jackmakackov7077 yeah and ppl said No chance NJD makes playoffs in 2022 look what happen. Jets, arent good. Blues,Bhawks, wild no chance at playoffs.

[@mannyoliveira776]

The Cent & Atl are the two toughest divisions, so no chance at a playoff. They might get close, say 10 to 12 points out of a WC spot, but there's no way they finish Top 5. By the looks of things - Dal seem the strongest, but if Nickhusk returns before the new year (a bonus would be Landeskg returning), Col likely finish 1st & Dal 2nd. Those 2 seem the strongest. Nas, Wpg, Min will all fight 3rd, 4th, & 5th. Slight edge to Nash over the other 2. - Nash made some great additions, have a Top 5 or 6 LW, a Top 5 D, & a Top 5 goalie, - Wpg have a Top 2 or 3 G, a Top 12 D, & a bunch of good scoring wingers. - Min have Top 5 overall winger, a Top 10 Dman, underrated forward group, good goalies StL, Uta battle it out for 6th, 7th. Chi could be there as well but I bet they fade away in Jan/Feb & finish last. StL, Uta, & especially Chi - all made some good additions, improving their rosters. If I had to pick 1 team to suprise of these 3 & climb up a spot or 2 it would be StL but they need a good start for that to even happen. I have no idea exactly the order, but the Central seems the most exciting division to me, along with the ATL. The Metr could surprise though, & the PAC will be pretty good in of itself.

[@Robert-ki7bz]

Doesn't look like a playoff team to me. Doesn't look like they can score enough to overcome any issues in the back end.

[@Peksisarvinen]

Very much doubt they make the playoffs or even get close. Just doesn't feel like the team has enough oomph in any area of the ice, particularly not on offense.

[@darinkaintz386]

Go Yotes!

[@Steve-gn4hk]

They open at NY Islanders. Could be a rough start.

[@connorking3022]

No they open against Chicago on Tuesday mate.

[@Steve-gn4hk]

👍🏼

[@DibsEquipped]

I like Hockey Club name

[@MonsterHockey9]

Jarrod Vesce

[@BodyAndSol96]

I wouldn't be surprised if they made the playoffs. I don't think St. Louis and/or Winnipeg are impossible to pass for them

[@FC-tq1yj]

The U-Hauls will be considered a success with 2 outcomes... One... picking a name. Two... attendance being strong... like at least mid league.

[@ripapa6355]

THG talking about Utah getting the fruits of the labour from the Coyotes, meanwhile Nordiques fans. 😂😂😂😂

[@Alexis-jm9hs]

If they make the playoffs I would feel so bad for arizona

[@pstandlee]

Dark horse

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

I'm going to go out an a limb here... Utah's first goal will be from a former Coyote and assisted by a former Coyote who assisted on one of his goals in Arizona.

[@JD200_]

Maybe they pick up a guy like Timothy Lijgren ?

[@admirals818]

In my mind, they've been in the NHL since 1979.

[@quag311]

I welcome the sock puppet show, particularly if there is a McBain puppet and Shannon uses a German accent.

[@quag311]

“Mendoza!!!!”

[@quag311]

“They fight, and bite, and fight and fight and bite…”

[@amelbeecher6097]

I like the name " Utah"

[@habinations]

they would have to pass the peg imo. ingram would have to be what he was before the break i didnt get any in my pool this year. wanted ingram.have dostal .aw well whatever. lol

[@DingoOverlord]

Expectation: Have a real name before next season

[@JohnnyReno71]

Teams ( phoenix ) horrible for years , then they move and now they’re competitive. What’s up with that, it’s mostly same players and staff. I’d be surprised..

[@Scantronimus466]

If they don’t win the Cup, they get sent back to Phoenix.

[@serfindukdb1776]

the b-lose aren't finishing higher than 6th in the division, with the Wild & Hawks rounding out the bottom. so, the Yeti's are going to easily challenge for a playoff spot. they *could* finish as high as 2nd, but will probably finish 3rd or 4th... in my eyes at least

[@jesseatkinson8956]

Igor for Ingram Crouse and a puck. Who say no?

[@soulknife20]

What are the expectations of the Yotes? Because UHC is essentially the same team.

[@hharrybboy]

Same team as last year, just a new location

[@leftcoaster67]

At least its an arena with 3 times the capacity.

[@hharrybboy]

@leftcoaster67 true.

[@GizmoBeach]

That their season will be as bland as their placeholder name, and the players will freak out having actual crowds at home games. 😱

[@slothkng]

what would we expect if they were still arizona? yes technically they're and expansion squad team records wise but they aren't a from scratch team I wouldn't think the yotes would have been great so neither should utah

[@shellysmith1037]

not much, no playoffs.

[@paulthompson8793]

I don't think it's reasonable to have very high expectations at this point, I expect they'll end up 6th in the division, give or take a spot, but should improve in the years to come. I see people thinking they're gonna get somewhere in the top of the division, but you think they're really gonna be better than the avs/jets/preds/stars? questionable.

[@guillaumetremblaydallaire8406]

They have a head start since they aren’t an expansion team

[@faunbudweis]

Isnt yeti a bigfoot? Just a Himalayan equivalent? Well when we can have something as stupid as the Kraken, I guess we can have Yetis..

[@saabviggen00]

Ithink competitivr is kind of a minimum. Even the young guys havr 2 or 3 seasons and should be acclimated to NHL lifr. N o expectation of playoffs, but they need to be alive for a playoff spot going into the final week of the season

[@neeltheother2342]

Whenever someone says "people are sleeping on x" it's most likely a fan of one of those bottom feeders that thinks they'll be a playoff team (looking at Ottawa in particular). I do think one of either Anaheim or Montreal can surprise a lot of people, not as playoff teams but of teams that can get close.

[@Kira_Kovalyova]

They are winning the Stanley Cup

[@godawful5600]

I can’t wait to follow them to wherever they take me! Also am I the only one who can’t stand the Yeti name? Really hope it’s not that lmfao

[@pikemanadventure5269]

😢

[@beerleaguehero]

For a hideous jersey team, out of the playoffs at Thanksgiving 😅

[@Dnt461]

They actually have a pretty good roster. And it can only get better with the money and draft picks they have. However, Bear isn’t it. Sorry but he’s not the right coach for this team. If Utah gets a better coach, maybe next year 🤞 this is a dangerous team. But we’ll see. I’ll be at their home opener and I’ll be cheering loud for them. #GOYETI

[@Kolari85]

Oh, we're going to the playoffs, boys.

[@BCNeil]

They were so lucky to get a team. Then did nothing with it. Did they even get proper lighting behind the nets?

[@TheEDFLegacy]

I have an expectation: I think the reason they never chose a name was because they were waiting to see what would happen with the Coyotes. Now that the franchise is unowned... Utah Coyotes? 😅

[@FC-tq1yj]

U-Hauls... they gotta pick U-Hauls... lol.

[@realtalk5931]

Need a 1C to make the playoffs. Hayton isn’t him. Maybe Cooley steps up

[@meddyven]

Hoping the co. That makes the yeti coolers, and other yeti products, which, btw, has over 20 trademarks to Yeti, will not let them use the name. I still think Bighorns, would be a massive upgrade to name the team. A bighorn sheep, on a Utah mountain; KILLER!

[@rocksmith3796]

Not ready Yeti but they will make the playoffs because it's good for busine$$ in the NHL!

[@BayBye2011]

remember they r an nhl team....inherited a complete team and developmental system

[@4517onlyglory]

As if it's called yeti, certainly I won't be a fan of the name

[@bartsanders1553]

I will protest that name until they officially announce it.

[@mmonurdz9456]

Yeti is a dumb name. 😖

[@SJSharks91]

Going from Idaho to Utah to watch the sharks game so hopefully they lose that one at least😂

[@JonathanSeagull13]

Yeti and Kraken are too similar mythical beings. I proposed Missionaires, knowing he Mormon influence, lol. I also like the Outlaws, but have a feeling that by next season Utah Hockey Club will be so vested that they will stick to it.

[@Merlin_From_Shrek_3]

Ok but don't you know that people are sleeping on the golden knights?

[@quag311]

They lost to the Sharks last night… with most of their starters playing.

[@jackmakackov7077]

7th in the central if they are lucky. Hawks have better high end guys, so they might be 8th.

[@isaacwest276]

Playoff contenders should be expectations, but as a Utahn in Edmonton who was following the Coyotes almost as much as the Golden Knights andof course my beloved Oilers, I'm predicting playoffs. While I figure them as a wild card team, I wonder with how contentious the Central should be this year (Blackhawks are the only team without playoff contention as a goal), they might get hot and outperform themselves to be better than a wildcard team. Perhaps the excitement of Utah versus the situation they had in Arizona will give them a hot start. This roster always seemed to play well at home in Tempe, why not for SLC? Also you forgot to mention Yamamoto, but as always you still did great coverage. PS: I''m still holding out hope Outlaws, since Raptors wasn't in the tourney.

[@squidMB]

Personally im hoping mammoth is the name

[@jayjayson9613]

The Yeti would be an awful name

[@brAnd7onX87]

Utah making the playoffs would be such a slap in the face to arizona. I really feel bad for them I would be losing it.

[@jaredkomoroski]

Hopefully not the Yeti

[@Goingpostal1000]

Utah fan here but I wish it was going to be something other than Yeti. I just don’t like it has been used in Colorado’s past as a mascot. Just wish we could have a name with less baggage. Our own unique thing.

[@nathanhunt2946]

Haven't met a single hockey fan in Utah who likes the name Yeti..... Mammoth and Outlaws are way more popular among real hockey players/fans

[@GizmoBeach]

I haven’t met a single hockey fan in Utah who likes the names Mammoth or Outlaws; they all agree those are bush-league soccer-Mom names. Two can play the making-stuff-up game, chum. 🐝

[@nathanhunt2946]

You must not be very involved with hockey here then..... Mammoth/Outlaws are not particularly strong names, I agree. But they have the strongest connections to our city. Yeti is only popular for its alliteration and snow theme. NOTHING about Utah has anything to do with an Asian Cryptid..... Yeti represent Nepal, India, China, and Eastern Russia. Every BUSH LEAGUE snow town has team with Yeti branding.... Iron County Yeti (already in Utah btw), Vail Yeti, Port Huron Yeti, Winnipeg Ice and Colorado's former mascot Howler the Yeti. Need I go on?

[@ericacottle3507]

I'm a Utah fan that loves the Yeti name

[@nathanhunt2946]

@@ericacottle3507 Nice to meet you. Why do you like the Yeti name?

[@kevanjoel1671]

I’ve liked it from the start. I also like the other finalist names. Bottom line: Everyone who doesn’t will get over it when they make their mark.

[@askelly2003]

It frustrates me that it looks like they’re not going to go with the Utah Raptors - I mean the name was right there!

[@JeikobuNippon]

I think they are really missing a great name with the “Swarm”. It’s the Beehive State. Come on. That would be cool. What does “Yeti” have to do with Utah? It’s like Boston’s team being named “the Bruins”. 🤷‍♂️

[@FrankM-u1w]

Utah Yeti? As an old enough Avalance fan to remember Howler our once mascot get fired for fighting a fan, that would be dissapointing. Also as a native myself rather they use a native American term.

[@EattheApple666]

A little better then Phoenix.