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The Utah Mammoth will be looking to add at the trade deadline, but it won’t be at the expense of moving some key pieces.
The Utah Mammoth will be one of the most interesting teams to watch at this year’s trade deadline. Utah has a solid shot to make the playoffs in its second season. As such, they won’t be skimping on efforts to improve the club.
The most glaring need at this point is scoring. The loss of Logan Cooley earlier this season has only exacerbated the lack of depth scoring on the team. In particular, the need for another solid scoring center has become the Mammoth’s biggest focal point.
That situation has prompted Utah to do its due diligence on players like Nazem Kadri. Per Marco D’Amico of RG Media, the Mammoth have checked in on Kadri. But the fact is that the club would like a piece that can better mesh with the younger persuasion of this club.
With the Mammoth just now seemingly entering its competitive threshold, there appears to be a pressing need for more depth. Two of the names that may entice the Utah are Robert Thomas and Elias Pettersson.
But as per D’Amico, the Mammoth are willing to take a swing at names like these, but not at the expense of their best prospects. Players such as Tij Iginla, Danil But, and Caleb Desnoyers are off the table.
The Mammoth are clearly looking to add, but it won’t be through gutting their prospect pipeline.
Mammoth Could Move Some Promising Names in Big Deal
Some names that might pop up in trade discussions could be Maveric Lamoreaux or Cole Beaudoin. Plus, Utah has draft picks it can jettison in deals for scoring help. However, those pieces would become useful depending on the trading partner and the circumstances.
For instance, a deal with the St. Louis Blues involving Robert Thomas could cost multiple first-round picks and a high-end prospect like Desnoyers.
A move for someone like Elias Pettersson would also necessitate multiple pieces. Potentially, Lamoreaux or Iginla would be names the Vancouver Canucks would love to bring aboard to further their rebuild.
Utah Fans Should Keep an Eye on Rangers
One team Utah Mammoth fans should keep an eye on is the New York Rangers. The Blueshirts are looking to move various veterans out the door. For instance, Vincent Trocheck has been a center getting plenty of attention.
Now, the talk is that Trocheck wants to stay in the East Coast. But if Trocheck could have an opportunity to make a strong playoff run, why not give a team like the Mammoth a chance?
The Rangers will also be looking to move out Mika Zibanejad. The veteran could also be an interesting secondary piece. While there hasn’t been much talk about Zibanejad in recent weeks, the Mammoth would be remiss if they didn’t kick the tires on the Swedish star.
Ultimately, the trade deadline could see the Mammoth pull off a big trade. That situation will depend on the availability of players on the market. Perhaps pivoting to an impending UFA like the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Charlie Coyle may be the next best thing to a legit top-six center.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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