What’s going on with the Utah Hockey Club? We’ve got answers to your 20 biggest questions.

Utah Hockey Club just passed the quarter mark of the NHL season.

And the up-and-down start to the franchise’s inaugural campaign has left fans with plenty of questions.

Well, you asked and we answered.

What are the plans on getting Kolyachonok back into the rotation?

When asked about this, head coach André Tourigny pointed to the fact that another defenseman would have to “lose their job” for Vladislav Kolyachonok to enter the lineup. In other words, a player in Utah’s D-corps’ performance would have to noticeably drop for Kolyachonok to be a viable replacement.

Tourigny has seemed pleased with how the backend and its pairings have settled since the injuries of Sean Durzi and John Marino, as well as the addition of Olli Määttä. That said, Utah continues to face injury challenges on its blue line. Robert Bortuzzo — while he played Friday against the Edmonton Oilers — was previously listed as day to day after leaving Tuesday’s game in Montreal with a lower-body injury. Maveric Lamoureux — who has been on the second pair with Ian Cole — is now out four to six weeks with an upper-body injury. That could really open things up for Kolyachonok.

In my view, if Utah wants Kolyachonok to be part of its defensive future, he needs consistent playing time to figure it out; he’s only played 13 games this year. That’s been hard with Lamoureux coming up from the AHL and filling the gap as well as he had. But, in short, it feels like both a numbers game and a belief that other defensemen bring more to the game than Kolyachonok.

For us relatively new hockey fans, how do young teams/rebuilds usually go in the NHL? Is this team-building plan common? What are common things to watch for as good indicators on young players?

The unfortunate thing about NHL rebuilds for fans is it takes a while; I would say five to seven years. Especially for a Utah franchise (previously the Arizona Coyotes) that stripped the team down to its bearings when general manager Bill Armstrong was hired in September 2020, patience is key in waiting for the new pieces and planning to start producing.

Rebuilds are common in the NHL, especially with the salary cap and the reality of big-name players exiting the peaks of their careers. Rebuilds see teams’ previous top players get traded in exchange for draft picks or younger prospects – it’s a commitment, to say the least.

In terms of things to watch for as good indicators on young players, I think you are seeing a lot of that in Utah this season. While the whole team may not be having success on a nightly basis, the confidence and consistent production from players like Dylan Guenther, Jack McBain and Logan Cooley are important. Those guys will be core pieces of Utah when it becomes a contender, so the earlier they get going, the better.

I’ll also add that a separate positive indicator is the caliber of player Armstrong was able to bring in over the summer. Having two-time Stanley Cup champion Mikhail Sergachev lead your backend with his experience and skill has been an intangible asset for Utah this season and has shifted the winning culture within the locker room. That’s another step in the rebuild.

Do you feel like this team has what it takes to push for a playoff spot this season?

With how the team is playing at the quarter-mark of the season, no I do not see Utah earning a playoff positioning this season. While the team is only four points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, the lack of consistency and killer instinct thus far does not bode well for postseason success.

Utah has yet to win consecutive games since the first week of the season and its more veteran forwards — who led the team in scoring last season — have not been able to come up clutch for the group when needed. Utah is still learning how to close out games, protect and extend leads and capitalize on special teams when needed. They’ve had specific players hit hot streaks, but Utah needs the whole team going to really turn a corner this year, which it hasn’t had yet. And that’s OK, it is expected in the fourth year of a rebuild.

If, however, Utah can string some wins together at the right time and get the reinforcements of Durzi and Marino coming back from injury, it could miraculously back itself into a wildcard spot. I’m just not confident about it. But hey, I hope I’m wrong.

What changes would you make to the team if you were head coach for a day?

If this question were asked a week ago, I would say put McBain, Cooley and Guenther back together on the second line. But Tourigny did that — it has worked in Utah’s favor.

Other than that, I would like to see Liam O’Brien get in the forward rotation a bit more often. Michael Carcone seems to have secured the fourth-line wing position as the team wants him to get his offense going, but I think Utah needs the passion, spark and physicality that O’Brien brings on some nights (not all). Utah has the fifth-least hits in the NHL this season with 366.

Perhaps harsh, but I’d also take Nick Schmaltz off the first power play unit. He has 17 assists, which is a positive and helps move the puck around well on that unit, but he’s not scoring and, in hand, he does not look confident. I understand the team wanting to put him in positions to score, but his looks as of late on the man advantage have not been dangerous. I’d swap him with Matias Maccelli, or put Barrett Hayton back at the net-front and swing Cooley over to the wing.

Who do you think has performed best on the team so far this season?

McBain has been Utah’s unsung hero. He is on pace to have a career year in terms of points and has 11 (eight goals, three assists) through 23 games this season. Tourigny said it last week, McBain has been one of Utah’s most consistent forwards no matter what role he is playing.

The 24-year-old spent a few weeks on the fourth line with Carcone and Kevin Stenlund before moving back to the second line with Cooley and Guenther, but did not change his intensity nor intention. It is not just the offense that has impressed. McBain still takes pride in his defensive game, is strong on the penalty kill and leads the team with 63 hits.

Overall, though, Sergachev has been the most valuable player for this Utah team in my eyes. He plays in all situations — while averaging 25:43 of ice time a night — and brings a certain steadiness and swagger to the lineup. The defenseman has 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and is not afraid to get in scrums, stick up for his teammates and gut out extra shifts when Utah is down a player. His skill is obvious, but the amount Sergachev simply cares and the accountability he brings to the team has added to his performance.

What is the average number of UHC fans you have seen at road games? Are they noticeable in the arena at all? What is your favorite thing about Utah so far and the most surprising (good or bad)?

I’ve seen a few Utah Hockey Club fans at road games — especially in Las Vegas — but not enough to hear during a game. They’re definitely at warmups and I imagine that will continue to build as the fan base does in the coming years.

My favorite thing about Utah, without a doubt, has been covering the team, getting to chronicle the inaugural season and connecting with all of you. Aside from hockey, I’ve loved living around the mountains, going on hikes, trying new restaurants, meeting new people and getting a new life experience that isn’t the East Coast.

The most surprising thing might be how you have to drive to get everywhere. I guess I knew that coming in, but as a New Yorker who got their driver license a week before the move, it has been the biggest adjustment. But I’m learning!

The GSAA/win discrepancy between the goalies?

Simplified, I think Karel Vejmelka has played better than expected and Connor Ingram has played worse than expected this season.

Vejmelka — who got his fifth consecutive start on Friday — has been tabbed as Utah’s No. 1 goaltender as of now with Ingram sidelined with an upper-body injury. Tourigny said Thursday that it would be at least another week for Ingram. Perhaps that had been affecting Ingram’s game. Vejmelka, though, has handled the responsibility well with a 2.25 goals against average, .922 SV% and 6.2 goals saved above average.

In terms of the discrepancy in wins, I would say it has more to do with Utah’s offensive production in front of each goaltender rather than the goaltender’s actual performance. Utah has been shut out five times this season and Vejmelka has been in net for four of those games. In the 1-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 22, Vejmelka made 30 saves and the team still did not win. In the 12 games Vejmelka has played in — both started and came in as relief — Utah has scored a cumulative 23 goals. It is less of a goaltending discrepancy and more of an issue with team offense.

How do the digital ads on the dasherboards work on the away broadcast? There will be all local ads, then usually once per period, they display an ad local to the away market.

The digitally enhanced dasherboards (DED) can replace camera-visible ads at away arenas with local sponsorships. Since the stream is on SEG+, even if the team is playing on the road, its advertisers are still able to show up on the boards with the DED technology.

Sponsors can purchase space in five “zones” — behind both nets, the offensive, defensive and neutral zones. Teams have 120 ad increments each game spanning around 30 seconds. Local ads to the away markets will show up when Utah’s sponsors aren’t up using the DED technology because those are actually painted on the in-arena dasherboards.

What will the jersey look like next year?

Team president Chris Armstrong said the plan is to stick to the general look of the Utah jersey this year but to incorporate whatever the new logo ends up being. The team will still sell the inaugural jerseys with “UTAH” across the chest, but once there is an official team name, there will be a partial redesign. Armstrong also said they are taking feedback from both players and fans about specifics of the jerseys that are either liked or disliked and will consider that with the next phase of production.

As a new hockey watcher, does Utah HC have the stereotypical “enforcer” and who would it be?

Liam O’Brien would be the first to come to mind in terms of an enforcer role, but he has only played three games this season so has not been able to fulfill regularly. O’Brien is known for getting in fights, throwing big hits and being there to keep the opposition in check.

Without O’Brien, I think McBain, Robert Bortuzzo and Ian Cole have a real grit and edge to their games, but I would not call them enforcers.

What has been going on with Maccelli? He seems to be playing significantly less minutes than last season.

Matias Maccelli is not producing at the rate most thought he would to start the season. After averaging 16:14 of ice time and logging 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists) through 82 games last year, Maccelli is now averaging 14:02 of ice time and has nine points (three goals, six assists) through 22 games.

Part of that drop-off comes from the fact that his line as a whole has not been putting up a lot of points apart from Nick Bjugstad who has found some jump recently. Lawson Crouse — who Maccelli historically has strong chemistry with — has five points (four goals, one assist) in 23 games after having the second-most goals on the team last year with 23. Both of the wing players are struggling a bit and have been unable to help each other out.

Maccelli’s turnover that led to the Edmonton Oilers’ game-winning goal on Friday at Delta Center cannot bode well for confidence, either.

What is going on with Schmaltz? It seems like the scoring drought is starting to affect him mentally. Lots of whiffs on pucks in front of the net.

Schmaltz said himself that a lot of it is, in fact, mental. We talked to him after the 1-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 22 and he said he — and his teammates — “just need to see one go in.” Going a quarter of the season without a goal for Schmaltz who is usually a top-scorer on the team has evidently taken hits to his confidence; I think that’s where the whiffs and low-quality shots are coming from.

Schmaltz has still contributed with a team-leading 17 assists, but as a first-line winger, he simply needs to score. I think once Schmaltz gets his first of the season and can get that initial weight off his shoulders his game will loosen up and he’ll find more scoring regularity. But until then, it continues to be a problem for both him and Utah.

How is Sergachev in the locker room and in practice? Is he truly stepping into his role of mentoring our young guys?

Sergachev is, without a doubt, one of the biggest leaders on the Utah team. The standard he holds himself to and the way he works for it trickles down throughout the lineup even if he is not the loudest guy in the locker room. Sergachev is not one to make a speech or yell, but he leads by example, holds himself and his teammates accountable and is always hungry for more.

I think this quote from Tourigny a few weeks ago sums it up perfectly.

“Sergy is not a loud guy. He’s not a guy that will impose himself. He’s a student of the game, he’s really passionate and he’s a straight shooter. ... He doesn’t hide himself and he doesn’t hide what can make us good. ... His voice carries a lot of weight,” Tourigny said. “He’s not a guy that’s just a passenger, he’s all in.”

How is Tij Iginla progressing?

Tij Iginla is having himself a season with the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old forward — who was drafted sixth overall by Utah in the 2024 NHL Draft — has 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) through 19 games thus far while serving as an assistant captain for the team.

There are high expectations for Iginla in Utah, especially in terms of the kind of goal-scorer he could mature into, and it seems he has taken that to heart as he increases his production. Iginla is on pace for a 92-point season which is eight points higher than last year.

Iginla has also played some games as a center instead of left-wing, a move Utah management will likely be happy about. After losing Conor Geekie in the Sergachev trade, Utah will rely on young prospects like Iginla and 24th overall pick Cole Beaudoin to fill those gaps in the future at the pivot position.

Which Utah Hockey Club player do you like the most?

No favorites!

Best food on each road trip so far?

Salt and Smoke in St. Louis might be some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had. I got the pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese and it did not disappoint. The restaurant has all of its homemade sauces on the table for you to choose from and experiment with, too. No notes. It was great. Tacos El Gordo in Las Vegas was also a standout. I got a quesadilla and a steak taco, both were delicious. Came with all the traditional toppings in freshly-made corn tortillas and guacamole. Lastly, I had to hit a Boston classic with Tatte when I was there — one of my favorite iced lattes and pastries.

With Doan doing so well now in the AHL, do you think the call-up happens before the end of the year?

I think Josh Doan will see another NHL game before the season ends, but it is hard to say when because there simply is not room in the roster right now. Utah has, luckily, not sustained any injuries to its forward group this season which has resulted in little room for personnel adjustments. The team also has 13 forwards — one more than needed on a nightly basis — which has made O’Brien a healthy scratch for all but three games this year.

Doan has posted seven points (four goals, three assists) through 11 games with the Tucson Roadrunners and is doing a lot of things management wanted to see from him when he initially got sent down — play bigger, more important minutes, be in all situations and get his scoring confidence back. Despite those positives, the logistics of a call-up is what makes it complicated.

To send any of the current Utah forwards down to the AHL they would need to pass waivers where it is likely another team could pick up the player. There also aren’t many forwards who play nightly that should or would be taken out of the lineup. Even though players like Crouse and Maccelli aren’t producing at the needed rate, they aren’t going to lose their spots to Doan.

I, personally, would encourage the mix-up eventually and think that Doan could bring a spark. But staying in the AHL is not hurting his development and he will only be a better Utah Hockey Club player for it.

What improvements to the in-arena experience would you like to see? Who is the surprise player this year in terms of output? What is the best pizza so far in SLC?

I think the in-arena experience will keep getting better throughout the season and the next few years as the team cements its identity and a Utah brand of hockey. Especially when an official name is picked, I think signature cheers and traditions will be easier to form and feel more natural. And, when more jerseys can be sold, the crowd will feel and look more unified, which always adds to the experience.

In terms of immediate improvements, I think the song selections could move away from the more techno/club vibe and more sing-along, old-time favorite choices. Overall, though, the atmosphere at Delta Center has been impressive in the inaugural season — better than a handful of road games I’ve been to.

As for the surprise player in terms of output, I’d refer to my answer a few questions up about McBain. I will also throw Michael Kesselring into that group with his 11 points (three goals, eight assists) through 23 games. His ability to rise to the occasion has been big for Utah.

Lastly, hate to admit it, but I have not had pizza since moving to Salt Lake City. I’m open to suggestions!

Do you have a sense for a timeline on a name announcement for next year?

The team filed intent-to-use applications in April for all the team names under consideration. The trademark office currently has a 7.5-month timeline to review applications, which would mean Utah could expect to be approved around March. That being said, there has been no new information about when the team would announce which name it is using. My guess is that it waits until the season is over.

Has a veteran adopted Maveric Lamoureux yet or is he still living in the hotel?

Lamoureux is no longer living in a hotel and is instead living in an apartment. No veteran adopted him, although Välimäki previously offered Lamoureux to live in his basement for $5,000 as a joke. It seems Lamoureux turned that down.

Editor’s note • All stats in this story were current as of Nov.30.