Who could Utah HC target with the 4th overall pick?

Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Hockey Club, didnt notice the rain in Salt Lake City when he woke up Tuesday morning.

Nothing could get him down hed just gotten a free upgrade in the form of the fourth overall pick in this summers draft.

Utah Hockey Club wins NHL draft lottery, will pick 4thIt was an almost unprecedented leap.

The only other time a team had jumped 10 or more spots through the draft lottery was when the Philadelphia Flyers did it in 2017.

That said, the New York Islanders nine-point jump just minutes prior to Utahs wasnt exactly anticipated either.Now comes the question: If Armstrong decides to keep the pick, rather than trading it, which players will he be looking at?Here are a few that come to mind.James HagensPosition: CSize: 5-foot-11, 176 poundsBirthplace: Hauppauge, New YorkCurrent team: Boston College, NCAAMere months ago, James Hagens was the consensus first overall pick.

Hes still believed by most to be a top-five talent, but his stock has fallen to the point where he could be available at No.

4.After tying Patrick Kane for the eighth-most single-season points in U.S.

National Team Development Program history last season, Hagens joined Boston College this year, where he averaged precisely a point per game.

Thats not bad, but it doesnt necessarily scream first overall the way Macklin Celebrinis 64 points in 38 games did last season.Hagens critics also point out that hes smaller than the average first-line center at 5-11.

If Utah were to pick him, hed be the shortest prospect in its system.At his best, Hagens is an excellent skater and an elite playmaker.

He might not play in the NHL next season, but he should be a regular NHLer soon enough.

Could you imagine a center depth chart of Logan Cooley, James Hagens, Tij Iginla and Cole Beaudoin?James Hagens also centered Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard at Boston College AND the World Juniors, resulting in a gold medal! #NHLDraft(: @BC_MHockey) https://t.co/lClPMuZKl5 pic.twitter.com/VxpZTgqlk5 NHL (@NHL) May 3, 2025Michael MisaPosition: C/LWSize: 6-foot-1, 185 poundsBirthplace: Oakville, OntarioCurrent team: Saginaw Spirit, OHLIts probably a longshot, but if Michael Misa is still available when Utah picks, Armstrong and his company will be thrilled.Misa is one of just nine players to ever be granted exceptional player status in the CHL, meaning he got to start playing at age 15, rather than 16.

You may have heard of a few others on the list: Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard, John Tavares, etc.A coach-player reunion could solve Utah Hockey Clubs biggest problemMichael Misa has 21 goals.

He's played 17 games.

Tops in the CHL.

pic.twitter.com/VMCyKnYkPP Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) November 10, 2024Porter MartonePosition: RWSize: 6-foot-3, 207 poundsBirthplace: Peterborough, OntarioCurrent team: Brampton Steelheads, OHLWith two exceptions, every player in UHCs prospect pool is 6-foot-1 or taller and more than half of them are 6-foot-3-plus.Porter Martone fits that bill.Hes also a silky stickhandler, an elite playmaker and an above-average shooter.

Many of his goals come from the dirty areas in front of the net, as should be the case for such a big guy.

Hell be a top-six winger in the NHL in no time.BETWEEN THE LEGS Porter Martone (#2025NHLDraft) caps off the hat trick in style pic.twitter.com/OuOahZ9msJ Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) April 28, 2024Jake OBrienPosition: CSize: 6-foot-2, 170 poundsBirthplace: Toronto, OntarioCurrent team: Brantford Bulldogs, OHLIf Utah HC drafts Jake OBrien, let me be the first to propose the nickname Mini Tuna.He shares a surname with Liam Spicy Tuna OBrien, though their games are nothing alike.

Jake is a pure playmaker.

He doesnt shoot a ton, but when he does, he can wire it.Jake OBrien is tall but scrawny.

Hell need to fill out more, but dont worry hes only 17.

Hes still growing.There was a first @OHLHockey hat-trick for the @BulldogsOHL's Jake O'Brien Sunday! pic.twitter.com/9zCuXGoyBQ Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) November 11, 2024Anton FrondellPosition: CSize: 6-foot-0, 196 poundsBirthplace: Trangsund, SwedenCurrent team: Djurgardens IF, AllsvenskanPlaying in Swedens second tier of professional hockey this year, Anton Frondell topped NHL Central Scoutings list of international skaters.

Hes expected to go in the latter half of the top 10, so if Utah wants him, hell likely be available.No U18 player has ever scored more points per game in a season than Frondell did this year.

That includes current NHL stars like William Nylander, David Pastrnak, Filip Forsberg and Jesper Bratt.Frondells 196 pounds are disproportionate to his 6-foot-0 frame.

Hes big and powerful and can take the puck to the net.

He also has a wicked shot and can make plays with the best of them.2025 draft eligible Anton Frondell did THIS today ( @Svenskhockey_Tv) pic.twitter.com/hRtcYHp2OJ BarDown (@BarDown) February 7, 2025Roger McQueenPosition: CSize: 6-foot-5, 192 poundsBirthplace: Saskatoon, SaskatchewanCurrent team: Brandon Wheat Kings, WHLIts hard to properly evaluate Roger McQueen, who missed most of the season with a fractured spine.

Upon returning from injury, he had 10 goals and 17 points in 20 games, but there are certainly question marks about his overall health.What we do know is that McQueen is a beast.

Hes big, hes physical, he can take the puck to the net at will and he can stickhandle with the best of em.If you missed Roger McQueens goal last night, boy are you going to want to see this! I think we have our goal of the year! #2025nhldraft pic.twitter.com/ZAaqSpMKNn Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) March 23, 2025.

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