Report: Utah HC to be "Players in the Mikko Rantanen and/or Mitch Marner Sweepstakes"
The Colorado Avalanche shocked the hockey world when they got out of the Mikko Rantanen business, dealing the pending UFA to the Carolina Hurricanes last month. Fellow elite forward Mitch Marner could also reach the open market on July 1st if the Toronto Maple Leafs don't work out an extension with the hometown star before then. According to a report from insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Utah HC/Mammoth/Outlaws will be going all-out to try to land one of those superstars this offseason if they do in fact become UFAs.The belief is that Utah is willing to spend to lure top-tier free agents, and that could result in them being players in the Mikko Rantanen and/or Mitch Marner sweepstakes – with the hopes of signing one of them – should they hit the open market on July 1.Pagnotta goes on to note that the ownership group led by Ryan Smith has every intention of being a "serious contender" come this summer. They could even start their big splashes around the time of the NHL Draft at the end of June. They'll have over $26 million in available cap space for next season, and they won't have to spend any of it on any pending major extensions for their own players. In addition, GM Bill Armstrong may add even further to their cap room by selling some pending UFAs by the March 7th deadline next month. Names like Alexander Kerfoot, Nick Bjugstad, Ian Cole and Olli Maatta could be had on the trade market. The other big move Utah will certainly make this offseason is a big rebrand with their permanent team nickname. Photo: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images...
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