***
Welcome to the September edition of the DobberProspects 32-in-32 Series. This month, we explore each organization in depth, examining its recent graduates, risers, fallers, and top-20 fantasy prospects. 

***

As discussed in last month’s 32 in 32 series, and was really big news last April, the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes are no more. The dark cloud of uncertainty that has been floating over the organization for what seems like forever about a possible relocation, has now happened and is gone. The team is in Utah now, which seems like a much better market for hockey (sorry Coyote fans), with an arena that can hold more than 4,600 fans. They have an owner in Ryan Smith who is passionate and cares about the club. Smith has wasted no time creating a buzz around the club in Salt Lake City. Soon after the relocation announcement came last April, a capacity crowd was on hand at the Delta Center to greet the team with reportedly 30,000 deposits made for season tickets.

On the ice, GM Bill Armstrong’s rebuild continues, despite Smith’s willingness to spend. Since taking over as GM in 2020, Armstrong has drafted 42 players in four drafts. The organization is now starting to see the positive effects of the rebuild with many of their draft picks becoming a big part of the team. Clayton Keller, 26, led the team in goals, assists and points. The No. 3 pick in the 2022 draft, Logan Cooley, had an excellent rookie campaign with 20 goals and 44 points. He’s expected to take another step offensively this year, too. Arizona even spent a good amount of time in a playoff spot during 2023-24 before fading off to finish the season. For the first time in a long time, things are looking up for this organization. Optimism is in the air in Utah for a roster that finished 36-41-5 last year.

****

Graduating Players

Graduate to NHL

Dylan Guenther, RW: I thought Guenther would play all of last year with Arizona, but after an uninspiring training camp, he was sent to Tucson. There, after a little bit of a slow start, he quickly became one of the best players in the AHL. Guenther was recalled in early January which was supposed to be a short stint with the big club but instead he forced his way on the team. Finishing the year with 18 goals and 35 points in 45 games, Guenther is ready for a top six role in Utah. He also just signed a eight-year contract with Utah.

Josh Doan, RW: In his first year of pro, Doan was having an excellent year in Tucson. He was leading the team in scoring when Doan was recalled near the end of the season. He absolutely exploded scoring two goals in his NHL debut and never looked back. Doan had nine points in 11 games and fully looks ready for a bottom six role, maybe more, in the NHL with Utah.

Michael Kesselring, D: From a long shot sixth-round pick by Edmonton in 2018, Kesselring has officially forced himself onto the team. He continues to not just impress with play in his own zone but also with offense. Kesselring spent pretty much all last year with Arizona, putting up five goals and 21 points in 65 games.

*

Graduating from College/ Junior/ USHL/ Europe/ Canadian University to pro’s:

Artyom Duda, D: It was quite the bizarre year for Duda in 2023-24. He left Russia to play for University of Maine but due to playing professional in the KHL he was officially deemed ineligible last December. Duda practiced with Maine but never suited up for a game. In January, he suited up for Toronto Metropolitan University, putting up seven points in 12 games. I cannot recall a second-round pick playing Canadian University before. Signed to an ELC, Duda now moves on to most likely Tucson. With excellent on-ice vision and strong transition game, I’m excited to see what he brings to the pro ranks.

Maveric Lamoureux, D: While Lamoureux was very good last year, he once again missed significant time with a shoulder injury for a second season in a row. Despite his 6-7 frame, he skates very well and as Lamoureux showed last year with nine goals and 33 points in 39 games, brings some offense. Play his own zone is what will get Lamoureux to the NHL, though. Returning from his second shoulder surgery, he most likely spends most of the year with Tucson but expect to see him at some point with Utah.

Julian Lutz, LW: A second-round selection in 2022, Lutz brought his talents to the USHL last season after seeing little playing time in Germany the past two years. He was one of the league’s top scorers with 24 goals and 68 points in 50 games for Green Bay. Signed to his ELC, Lutz has an outside chance of playing with Utah but most likely spends the campaign with Tucson.

Miko Matikka, RW: Since being drafted in the third-round in 2022, Matikka was a top scorer in the USHL during 2022-23 and then helped University of Denver win a National Championship with an excellent freshman campaign. Now the potential power forward (6-3, 201 lbs) is signed to his ELC and will begin his professional career most likely with Tucson.

Sam Lipkin, LW/C: One of the last players selected in the 2001 draft, Lipkin has been very impressive, making Arizona/Utah look like geniuses with that pick. After two strong years at Quinnipiac, Lipkin is signed to his ELC after Armstrong tried hard to sign him last year. Another potential power forward, Lipkin is a sleeper pick.

Noel Nordh, LW: The first player signed by Utah after the team relocated, Nordh possibly brings his game to North America. He is eligible to play in the AHL for this year or be loaned back out to Sweden. Playing for Bryas IF in the HockeyAllsvenskan, he did not see a ton of playing time. For the Brynas U20 affiliate team though, Nordh dominated, racking up 22 points in 15 games.

****

Risers

Josh Doan, RW: Despite some excellent years at Arizona State University, I do not think many thought Doan was a legit prospect. He proved that wrong with a very strong first year of pro and now is penciled in for a bottom six role with Utah. Finishing 2023-24 in the NHL with nine points in 11 games will do that. Expecting that kind of production over a whole NHL campaign seems unrealistic but a possible 20 goal campaign I think is very real.

Aku Raty, RW: After a few years of middling production in Finland, Raty broke through with a big offensive year and signed his ELC after 2022 -23. Admittingly, I did not expect much from Raty with Tucson. Instead, the older brother of Vancouver top prospect Aatu, had a very strong year in the AHL. At 15 goals and 44 points in 55 games, he finished second on the team in scoring even though Raty missed some time with injuries. Playing a responsible 200-foot, gridding, gritty game, Raty looks tailor made for a future bottom-six role with Utah and possibly more.

****

Fallers

Victor Soderstrom, RD: It did not seem so long ago that the former 11th overall pick from 2019 would be a future star for Arizona. He was so impressive playing in the SHL as a teenager and put together a couple strong WJS’s for Sweden. Since coming to North America though, Soderstrom has struggled and never locked down an NHL roster spot. He has been solid for Tucson but never really brought that dynamic you expect from a high draft pick. Now in his fifth season for Arizona/Utah, Soderstrom finds himself an afterthought for the organization.

Ilya Fedotov, LW: A surprise second-round selection in 2021, Fedotov was Armstrong’s type of player: big, mean, aggressive with some skill thrown in. His contract has four year’s left to remain in the KHL and while Fedotov could have an out-clause, it seems unlikely we will see him come to North America. He has also has not shown much offense in the KHL the last couple years. Fedotov had zero points in 16 games during 2023-24.

*****

Organizational Depth Chart 

(Combination of NHL readiness and upside)

*****

 Top 20 Fantasy Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the Utah Hockey Club prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Dylan Guenther
2. Tij Iginla
3. Dmitri Simashev
4. Daniil But
5. Maveric Lamoureux
6. Josh Doan
7. Artom Duda
8. Cole Beaudoin
9. Michael Hrabal
10. Miko Matikka
11. Aku Raty
12. Sam Lipkin
13. Julian Lutz
14. Jonathan Castagna
15. Owen Allard
16. Vladislav Kolyachonok
17. Veeti Vaisanen
18. Noel Nordh
19. Tomas Lavoie
20. Victor Soderstrom

****

Rookie Faceoff Tournament

Just like when they were in Arizona, Utah once again took part in the Rookie Faceoff Tournament, this year hosted by the Los Angeles Kings. They finished 1-2, and while that record was disappointing, when watching these tournaments, you more look to see which players stand out. Unfortunately, 2024 first-round selection Tij Iginla did not take part due to a lower-body injury. Three players that really stood out for Utah though:

Maveric Lamoureux only played two out of the three games but looks fully recovered from shoulder surgery. He tied for the team lead in points, wore the C for Utah and dropped the gloves with Sloan Stanick of Las Vegas after he threw a questionable big hit on teammate Sam Lipkin.

Cole Beaudoin showed why Utah traded up in this year’s draft to select him. While he only finished with one goal, Beaudoin was very noticeable. An intense player, I do not think he lost a single puck battle all tournament.

Owen Allard attended rookie camps in the past with Ottawa and Colorado, so he knew what to expect. Still, he led Utah in goals and tied for most points this year. He could go back to the OHL for his overage season but he’s pushing hard for an ELC.

****

Thanks for reading! Feel free to follow me on Twitter @KDuggan92