NHL Rumors: 3 Players Becoming Trade Candidates For Utah

Thursday, February 13, 2025 ,

The Utah Hockey Club is approaching the trade deadline with decisions to make, particularly regarding veteran defensemen Ian Cole and Olli Määttä, as well as forward Alex Kerfoot, according The Fourth Period. 

Sitting just outside the playoff picture, Utah could either push for a postseason berth or shift into seller mode. General Manager Bill Armstrong has been open to moving pending UFAs, and all three players could draw interest from contenders. 

Cole, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, has been steady on Utah’s blue line and would add valuable playoff experience to any team looking to shore up its defense. 

Määttä, another Stanley Cup winner, has logged key minutes this season and is a reliable stay-at-home defenseman.

Kerfoot, while not known for his scoring, has been a versatile two-way forward who can play up and down the lineup. If Utah moves him, teams like Edmonton, Colorado, and New Jersey could be logical fits given his defensive reliability. 

Cole’s ability to kill penalties and play tough minutes could attract interest from Tampa Bay, Florida, and Detroit, while Määttä’s experience make him another valuable trade chip.

At the same time, Utah is preparing for a major offseason push. The team is projected to have over $26 million in cap space and is expected to be a serious player in free agency. 

“They’re willing to spend to lure top-tier free agents,” David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported, mentioning both Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner as potential targets. 

Whether Utah makes a push for the playoffs this season or sells at the deadline, Armstrong is clearly focused on building a competitive roster for 2025-26 and beyond.

Photo Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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