Utah HC Stats Leaders Prediction for 2024-25 – Hockey Writers – Utah Hockey Club

After an eventful offseason, highlighted by the addition of defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, here's a look at who will lead the Utah Hockey Club in significant statistical categories in 2024-25. Three authors from Utah e Hockey Writers – Chase Beardsley, Cooper Kirgbaum and myself – predicting the team's leader in goals, assists, points, and plus/minus this season.

Goals

Parker: Dylan Guenther – 35 goals

Dylan Guenther's 45-game performance with the Arizona Coyotes last season was just a sampling of his potential. The 21-year-old scored 18 goals and 17 assists. Arguably the best right-handed shot on Utah's team, look for him to get minutes on the power play unit this season. With leading players Lawson Crouse and Logan Cooley, that line should stick together and increase his offensive production. The 6-foot-2, 174-pounder recently signed an eight-year extension worth $7.14 million average annual value (AAV).

Related: Utah Counts on Dylan Guenther in First NHL Season

Chase: Dylan Guenther – 38 Goals

Last season, Guenther played in just 45 NHL games. However, he produced 18 goals and helped Cooley improve his game. Now, he will look to take another step in his development, which could mean leading the team in goals. If he has Cooley or someone different, like Clayton Keller — who he's been paired with a few times before the season — the first-round pick should be a big part of Utah's offense this season.

Cooper: Dylan Guenther – 40 Goals

Many are questioning Guenther's recent contract extension, and to be fair, he hasn't played a full season in the NHL so far. However, his shooting is undeniable, and he has the potential to be one of the best players in the league. That's why he will lead Utah in scoring with 40 goals. His ability to score on the power play is elite, and his chemistry with Cooley was undeniable last season, becoming the first Utah player to score 40 goals in franchise history.

It helps

Parker: Matias Maccelli – 40 Assists

Forward Matias Maccelli finished second on the team in assists the past two seasons (38 in 2022-23 and 40 in 2023-24). Arizona's 2019 fourth-round pick has gifted puck vision in his possession. His 49-point season in 2022-23 placed him second in the rookie scoring race, playing in 64 games. While the 23-year-old may not have a spot in Utah's top six, he will certainly be a top player in winning man and other ice situations.

Chase: Clayton Keller – 55 Assists

While forward Clayton Keller is a safe bet to lead the team in assists, there's a reason for that. The longtime Coyote led the team in points and assists the past two seasons and that streak could continue this season. He will be surrounded by better players, especially on the blue line with Sergachev and John Marino, which will help Keller continue his offensive dominance in Utah.

Cooper: Mikhail Sergachev – 51 Assists

It may be hot to have a defenseman lead the team in assists, but Sergachev will be put in a perfect position in Utah. He spent the last few seasons behind future Hall of-Famer Victor Hedman and is now ready to take over as the top defenseman. Sergachev will have all the tools to succeed, and after seeing what Sean Durzi could do last year, it makes a lot of sense.

Points

Parker: Clayton Keller – 81 points

Keller led the Coyotes in points the past three seasons (63 in 2021-22, 86 in 2022-23 and 78 in 2023-24). He and forward Nick Schmaltz have been key components of Arizona's top line and power play unit. With forward Barrett Hayton returning from an injury-plagued 2023-24 season, the team plans to repeat its starting lineup. The eighth-year Coyote will look to continue his recent success in Utah.

Chase: Clayton Keller – 86 points

In 2022-23, Keller tied Keith Tkachuk's Coyotes record for most points in a single season. Most fans thought he would break it the next season, but he didn't. While there is no record to be broken this season, Keller should return to being a bit more of a playmaker, especially if a healthy Hayton is in the lineup most of the time.

Cooper: Clayton Keller – 89 Points

This seems obvious, at least during the preseason, but Keller will once again lead the team in points. His playmaking ability and ice sense have been on display over the past two seasons, and he's only 25 years old. However, Keller's partner, Hayton, should continue to be healthy, as the two have developed good chemistry.

Addition/subtraction ratio

Parker: John Marino – Plus-15

Despite posting a minus-6 average last season, defenseman John Marino will lead Utah in that stat this season. He was with the New Jersey Devils last season, and they experienced injuries and inconsistent goaltending, a perfect recipe for dropping every player's plus/minus ratio. In 2022-23, the 6-foot-1, 183-pounder was a plus-25. He's had a good plus/minus ratio in four of his five seasons in the NHL, and the right-handed shot is slated to be a second-team defenseman this season.

Chase: Juuso Välimäki – Plus-13

Last season, Juuso Välimäki was one of the most underrated defensemen in the Western Conference, posting 17 points and a plus-12 rating on a Coyotes team with a troubling defense. With the addition of Sergachev, Marino, and Ian Cole, defending is no longer an issue, which should help Välimäki's game grow even more. The Finnish defenseman has found a home in Utah and could end up being a secret part of the big blue line.

Cooper: Sean Durzi – Plus-12

Linebacker Sean Durzi made a splash last season. He found his greatest success on the power play and was a force on the offensive end, something the Coyotes lacked on the blue line. With the addition of Marino and Sergachev, the pressure will not be as high, which will give Durzi enough opportunity to succeed this season.

The goalkeeper wins

Parker: Connor Ingram – 27 Wins

Goalie Connor Ingram was tied for the league lead last season with six goals. He was Arizona's best netminder in the second half of the Coyotes' last season in the NHL. The 6-foot-2, 196-pounder posted a 23-21-3 record with a 2.91 goals-against average (GAA) and a .907 save percentage (SV%). The 2024 recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy will look to retain his position as Utah's starter this season.

Chase: Connor Ingram – 26 Wins

Last season, Ingram stole the starting job from Karel Vejmelka at the last minute. However, this is a brand new season, and if we've learned anything about head coach Andre Tourigny, it's that he likes the 1A-1B scoring system. The starts will likely be split between the two goaltenders to start the season, and the win may be closer than fans expect. However, Ingram is still the better of the two and will likely get fewer starts than Vejmelka. It wouldn't be surprising, however, if the roles were somehow reversed at the end of the season.

Cooper: Connor Ingram – 28 Wins

In the latter half of the 2023-24 season, Ingram took over as the starting netminder, and when he was on his A game, watching him take over games was special. Twenty-eight wins for Ingram this season sounds like a fair number, especially given the improved defense in front of him with Sergachev and Marino. Expect Ingram to shine again this season.

Whether these predictions come true or not, come postseason play, Utah will hope these players have done enough to secure a playoff spot when the mid-April 2025 season rolls around.