The Utah Hockey Club, formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes, is navigating a crucial phase as it transitions to its new home. With a fresh start comes the need for careful financial planning, especially regarding the Utah Hockey Club salary cap and Utah cap space. This article delves into the current state of the Utah Hockey Club’s financials, including player salaries and overall payroll management.
Current Salary Cap Status
The Utah Hockey Club salary cap situation is pivotal for their competitive edge in the NHL. The team is working within the NHL’s salary cap limit of $88 million for the 2024-2025 season. Currently, the Utah Hockey Club has a total cap hit of approximately $72.8 million, leaving them with around $15.1 million in cap space. This cap space is essential for strategic signings and potential mid-season trades.
Breakdown of Utah Hockey Club Salaries
The team’s payroll is distributed among key players, ensuring a balanced roster capable of competing at the highest level. Leading the Utah Hockey Club payroll are top earners like Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, whose contracts are designed to provide stability and performance. Keller, with a cap hit of $7.15 million, and Schmaltz, at $5.85 million, represent significant investments in the team’s core.
Emerging talents like Matias Maccelli and Logan Cooley, with cap hits of $3.425 million and $950K respectively, reflect the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent. These strategic salaries contribute to maintaining a competitive yet financially responsible roster.
Optimizing Utah Cap Space
Effective management of the Utah cap space is crucial for the team’s success. The remaining $15.1 million in cap space offers flexibility for potential acquisitions that could enhance the team’s performance. General Manager Bill Armstrong has emphasized the importance of retaining financial flexibility to respond to in-season opportunities, including trade acquisitions and injury replacements.
The Utah Hockey Club’s approach to cap space management demonstrates a blend of caution and ambition. By maintaining a balance between veteran presence and youthful potential, the club is poised to make impactful moves without jeopardizing their financial health.
Future Considerations
Looking ahead, the Utah Hockey Club salaries are expected to see adjustments as contracts expire and new signings occur. The team’s management will need to navigate contract negotiations, ensuring key players are retained while also having the flexibility to sign impactful free agents.
Staying Updated with the Utah Hockey Club
Stay updated with the latest Utah Hockey Club trade rumors and Utah Hockey Club TV schedule on our website. Bookmark us and sign up for our newsletter to never miss an update!
Utah Hockey Club Salary Cap
| FORWARDS | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 | 2029-30 | TERMS | POS | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keller, Clayton | $7,150,000 | $7,150,000 | $7,150,000 | $7,150,000 | UFA | NTC | LW, RW | 25 | |
| Schmaltz, Nick | $5,850,000 | $5,850,000 | UFA | M-NTC | RW, C | 28 | |||
| Crouse, Lawson | $4,300,000 | $4,300,000 | $4,300,000 | UFA | LW, RW | 27 | |||
| Kerfoot, Alexander | $3,500,000 | UFA | M-NTC | LW, C, RW | 29 | ||||
| Maccelli, Matias | $3,425,000 | $3,425,000 | RFA | LW | 23 | ||||
| Bjugstad, Nick | $2,100,000 | UFA | C, RW | 31 | |||||
| Stenlund, Kevin | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | UFA | C, RW | 27 | ||||
| McBain, Jack | $1,599,999 | RFA | C, LW | 24 | |||||
| O’Brien, Liam | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | UFA | LW, RW | 29 | |||
| Cooley, Logan | $950,000 | $950,000 | RFA | ELC | C | 20 | |||
| Carcone, Michael | $775,000 | UFA | LW, RW | 28 | |||||
| Hayton, Barrett | RFA | C, LW | 24 | ||||||
| TOTAL | $32,649,999 | $24,675,000 | $12,450,000 | $7,150,000 | 26.3 | ||||
| DEFENSE | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 | 2029-30 | TERMS | POS | AGE |
| Sergachev, Mikhail | $8,500,000 | $8,500,000 | $8,500,000 | $8,500,000 | $8,500,000 | $8,500,000 | NTC | LD/RD | 26 |
| Durzi, Sean | $6,000,000 | $6,000,000 | $6,000,000 | $6,000,000 | UFA | LD/RD | 25 | ||
| Marino, John | $4,400,000 | $4,400,000 | $4,400,000 | UFA | M-NTC | RD | 27 | ||
| Cole, Ian | $3,100,000 | UFA | 35+ | LD/RD | 35 | ||||
| Välimäki, Juuso | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | UFA | LD | 25 | ||||
| Kesselring, Michael | $1,400,000 | $1,400,000 | RFA | RD | 24 | ||||
| TOTAL | $25,400,000 | $22,300,000 | $18,900,000 | $14,500,000 | $8,500,000 | $8,500,000 | 27 | ||
| GOALIES | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 | 2029-30 | TERMS | POS | AGE |
| Vejmelka, Karel | $2,725,000 | UFA | G | 28 | |||||
| Ingram, Connor | $1,950,000 | $1,950,000 | UFA | G | 27 | ||||
| TOTAL | $4,675,000 | $1,950,000 | 27.5 | ||||||
| LONG-TERM INJURED RESERVE | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 | 2029-30 | TERMS | POS | AGE |
| Weber, Shea | $7,857,143 | $7,857,143 | UFA | RD | 38 | ||||
| TOTAL | $7,857,143 | $7,857,143 | 38 | ||||||
| DEAD CAP | |||||||||
| RETAINED SALARY (1) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 | 2029-30 | |||
| Ekman-Larsson, Oliver | $320,000 | $650,000 | $650,000 | $290,000 | $290,000 | $290,000 | |||
| TOTAL | $320,000 | $650,000 | $650,000 | $290,000 | $290,000 | $290,000 | |||
| BUYOUT HISTORY (2) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 | 2029-30 | |||
| Nemeth, Patrik | $1,166,667 | ||||||||
| Kassian, Zack | $766,667 | ||||||||
| TOTAL | $1,933,334 | ||||||||
| ROSTER & BURIED CAP HIT | $70,582,142 | $56,782,143 | $31,350,000 | $21,650,000 | $8,500,000 | $8,500,000 | |||
| DEAD CAP HIT | $2,253,334 | $650,000 | $650,000 | $290,000 | $290,000 | $290,000 | |||
| CARRYOVER BONUS OVERAGES | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| PROJECTED CAP HIT | $72,835,476 | $57,432,143 | $32,000,000 | $21,940,000 | $8,790,000 | $8,790,000 | |||
| SALARY CAP | $88,000,000 | $92,000,000 | $92,000,000 | $92,000,000 | $92,000,000 | $92,000,000 | |||
| PROJECTED CAP SPACE | $15,164,524 | $34,567,857 | $60,000,000 | $70,060,000 | $83,210,000 | $83,210,000 |