After 18 games of the 2024-25 NHL season, the Utah Hockey Club is saddled with a dismal 7-8-3 record tied for sixth in the Central Division. While injuries have plagued the new NHL franchise, there is a list of players who are not performing as expected.
Every athlete in any sport can experience a slump, but when a group of players slumps together, it can be a huge threat to team performance. In their last 10 games, Utah HC has a low record of 3-5-2. While it may be too early to panic, general manager (GM) Bill Armstrong should be concerned.
These players need to start producing
Lawson Crouse is in bad shape
Lawson Crouse has not produced so far this campaign, with just three goals and one assist in 18 games. The last time his name appeared on the score sheet was 11 games ago when he scored a goal against the Colorado Avalanche. Two years ago, Mt. The Brydges, Ontario, native signed a five-year, $21.5 million contract. It seems like the team isn’t getting the production it expected from the 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward.
There had been speculation that Crouse would be traded early as other teams desired his size and ability to go forward. If his lack of scoring continues, how long will Armstrong delay his decision on whether to trade or keep him? Of course, his current trade value has decreased due to his decline.
Crouse met talented players Logan Cooley and Matias Maccelli. We don’t know why he can’t keep the light on unless he has an undisclosed wound. The team could listen to any number of exciting offers to move Crouse, but they seem content to give him time to find his game again.
Nick Schmaltz Not Having Points Never Helped
Nick Schmaltz has been the most productive forward over the past three seasons, tallying 67 goals in 205 games. However, this season, he went 18 games without points. What gives? Although he has 13 assists to his credit, he is being paid $5.85 million next season to score goals.
Related: Should Utah HC move on from Juuso Välimäki?
He could be a valuable trade candidate with only one year left on his current contract. He, too, has a great partner in Clayton Keller, who has six goals so far, three assists by Schmaltz. It’s not like Schmaltz doesn’t get his chances to score goals because he has fired 36 shots on the team’s goaltenders but ended up empty-handed.
He has to decide what needs to be fixed about his lack of goals. When the best player falls, he tends to push too hard, which can cause devastating results. He needs to fix that because the team needs his goals to help their 26th place finish.
Barrett Hayton Still Needs to Show Consistency
Barrett Hayton started this season like he was shot out of the canon. With four goals and two assists in his first five games, it was thought he was finally progressing to that fifth option starting in 2018. The problem with Hayton is similar to the problem with the Utah team… consistency.
Since his impressive start he has one goal and one assist in 12 games. Let’s just say the line of Hayton, Maccelli, and Crouse hasn’t been seen enough and often enough. Head coach Andre Tourigny has always mixed the lines to get results. It seems that this line deserves a change of staff.
Hayton was awarded a two-year, $5.3 million contract this summer, and was expected to begin showing his scoring talents. He also had some serious injury problems that slowed his development. With his drought intact, he remains the second-best player in the faceoff circle with a 61.5 percent success rate.
It’s doubtful that Hayton is a trade, but if he doesn’t improve soon, that could still happen.
Connor Ingram Has Been a Disappointment
After looking like the goalie the Arizona Coyotes needed, Connor Ingram has fallen from grace. During his tenure in Arizona, he had a record of 29-34-11. His .907 save percentage (SV%) was good, and his 3.08 goals against average (GAA) was respectable. So what happened this season?
We recently learned that Ingram has been dealing with an upper body injury that has kept him out of everyday practice. We don’t know how much that contributed to his below-average performance this season, but players sometimes struggle to work through injuries.
That means Karel Vejmelka, the regular netminder, will be the starter until Ingram recovers. “Veggie” has a 1-4 record, a .915 SV%, and a 2.58 GAA. Some consistent scoring is needed for this team to get back into the running. Last season in Arizona it was assumed that the club would have a 1A/1B status until Ingram took over the starting role.
If Vejmelka can come in and show Ingram some competition for the starting spot, it could help both scorers.
Wake-Up Call or Patience
Utah HC has great potential but is still young and trying to rebuild. Given its poor performance, it may be time to give the team a shake-up. Trading one of the unproductive players would do that. GM Armstrong has draft assets that could be added in the form of a trade to rebuild his failing roster.
Patience with young players can pay off in the long run or destroy you now. It’s like Kenny Rogers’ classic poker song “The Gambler.” You have to know when to hold back and know when to fold.
Playing poker with Armstrong can be a different learning experience.
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