The 2025 NHL Draft is now two days away, taking place on June 27-28. After signing two of their top prospects, Dmitri Simashev and Daniil But to entry-level contracts, the Utah Mammoth are looking to add another future star to its ranks. The pair of Russians won the 2025 Gagarin Cup together with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League). Utah currently holds the No. 4 overall pick after moving up 10 positions at the NHL Draft Lottery. The Mammoth have specific positions upfront that need to be filled, and this marquee player could do just that.
Utah Mammoth 2025 NHL Draft Needs
Utah came close to its first playoff berth last season, but the expectation will be to make it in the 2025-2026 season. The team may look a little different come next year, with familiar faces leaving in free agency. However, the goal for Utah remains the same.
According to Craig Morgan, the Mammoth are likely parting ways with pending free agent Nick Bjugstad. Michael Carcone will also hit the open market and leave Utah on July 1. He scored just seven goals, a significant drop from his 21 two seasons ago. RFA Jack McBain also needs a new contract and could leave on an offer sheet.
It’s not 100% certain, but my understanding is that UFA-to-be Nick Bjugstad and the Utah Mammoth will part ways this summer.
Nick is an unbelievable human being who brought so much leadership and glue to this roster when it needed it, while reviving his own career.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) June 20, 2025
Matias Maccelli still has another year left on his contract, but he could not find his way back into the lineup. The 24-year-old has been a trade candidate for months, so this makes a move away from Utah the probable outcome. The Mammoth already have a plethora of defensive prospects in their system, so adding another talented forward to the mix would be beneficial. Particularly, Utah could use another centre or winger that can bring size and skill to the team.
Weighing Options with the 4th Overall Pick
With some lottery luck, Utah won the opportunity to pick fourth-overall in the upcoming draft. What the Mammoth will do with the pick remains unknown. The options are to draft the best available player, trade down to select a particular player and recoup assets, or trade the pick entirely and acquire a young star forward.
Brogan Houston says Utah has been taking calls on pick #4. Because they have the pick and cap space, a trade for a forward is possible. Names like Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson are rumoured to be available, with the Stars listening to offers. Adding a big and already proven winger that will turn just 26 would be a great move for Utah. However, unless the Stars know Robertson will not re-sign in Dallas next year, they will most likely try to keep and extend him.
Bill Armstrong says he's been fielding offers on the fourth-overall pick, but he also explained how hard it is to find the right deal.
I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them keep the pick.#TusksUp
— Brogan Houston (@houston_brogan) June 24, 2025
Prospects Utah Could Draft at Pick 4
There are many talented players within the top 10 of this year’s draft and Utah gets to choose one. With Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa still the consensus 1st and 2nd picks, these are the options for Utah at the 4th selection and how they might fit in:
Porter Martone- RW, Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
While many of the best players available are centres, the Mammoth are also in need of size and scoring down the wing. Martone fits the bill for both, coming in at 6-foot-3. As a goal scorer, he would be a perfect fit on a future line with Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley. He also skates with Barrett Hayton in the summers. Bob McKenzie has him going 3rd.
Anton Frondell- C, Djurgårdens IF (Allsvenskan)
Like Martone, Frondell possesses a quick and powerful release. He is a respectable size for a centre at 6-foot-1, and can also be physical. For Utah, he would bring much needed offensive production and reinforce the middle of the ice. Frondell is ranked 4th.
Brady Martin- C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
There were rumours of the Mammoth being heavily interested in Martin for his power forward style of play, similar to Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. He is the type of tenacious player Bill Armstrong desperately wants in his lineup. Martin’s draft stock soared after the combine, projected to go 8th.
Utah took Brady Martin to dinner this week during the combine & I must say, he looks like the type of player Bill Armstrong would love on his team.
High motor, relentless effort, strong net-front presence, physical, & a LETHAL shot.#TusksUppic.twitter.com/Se4Z2DPjnS
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 7, 2025
Caleb Desnoyers- C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Desnoyers can do it all, playmaking, scoring, and some defending. Utah would add another threat at centre and would benefit from deploying him behind Cooley. Like Martin, Utah also has interest Desnoyers. Moncton won the league playoffs and he was named the QMJHL Playoff MVP. Desnoyers is 5th on McKenzie’s list.
James Hagens- C, Boston College (NCAA)
Hagens was the consensus 1st pick for much of last year, but dipped in the rankings. He is certainly still a future star, maybe teams want bigger centres. While Utah is one of those teams, they may feel Hagens is a can’t miss player. Since both McBain and Alexander Kerfoot played mostly on the wing this year, he would slot straight in at centre. Hagens is projected 7th.
The NHL released the full draft order ahead of Friday. In addition to 4th, Utah has picks 46, 78, 110, 142, and 174. One thing is clear, the 2025 Draft will be important for the Mammoth.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron- Imagn Images
