Cole was set to become an unrestricted free-agent on July 1st, but will instead remain in Utah for the 2025-26 season. The 36-year-old defenceman has one goal and 12 assists in 61 games for Utah this season and leads the NHL with 160 blocked shots.
Kerfoot was set to become an unrestricted free-agent on July 1st, but will instead remain in Utah next season on a $3-million dollar cap hit. Kerfoot has seven goals and nine assists in 61 games this season.
The Sharks opted not to play Vanecek on Tuesday in anticipation of a trade, which was realized on Wednesday morning, sending him to Florida in exchange for Patrick Giles. Vanecek posted an unimpressive 3.88 GAA and .882 SV% in 18 games with the Sharks this season (3-10-3). Though he will be predominantly backing up Sergei Bobrovsky, Vanecek should see an improvement in his statistics on a much stronger Florida team.
Despite being in the tail end of a back-to-back, the Sharks will turn to Georgiev between the pipes on Tuesday, keeping Vitek Vanecek sidelined for trade-related reasons. The 29-year-old Vanecek has a 3.88 GAA and .882 SV% in 18 appearances this season (3-10-3).
Maatta has impressed in his first season with Utah, earning himself a three-year contract extension. The 30-year-old defenseman started the season with the Detroit Red Wings before being traded to Utah. He has 14 points (2G / 12A) through 51 games and is averaging 20:41 time-on-ice, his highest total since his second NHL season in 2014-15.
Utah HC has won three straight, all with Vejmelka between the pipes, and will roll with him again on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been terrific lately, allowing two or fewer goals in four straight (4-0-0) while posting a near-perfect .942 SV%. He has a 2.44 GAA and .910 SV% through 37 appearances this season (16-15-4).
O'Brien will fill in for late scratch Michael Carcone (lower-body). O'Brien has zero goals and one assist in 20 games this season.
Carcone was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with Utah not announcing his absence prior to warmups. He is considered day-to-day with the injury. Liam O'Brien will draw into the lineup in Carcone's place.
Utah has won two straight and wil roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Vejmelka has been excellent lately, with a 1.39 GAA and .943 SV% during a three-game winning streak. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% in 36 appearances this season (15-15-4). Utah enters the action on Thursday as -182 home favorites against an injury-depleted Minnesota team coming off a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
Utah has won two straight and will likely roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Vejmelka has been excellent lately, with a 1.39 GAA and .943 SV% during a three-game winning streak. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% in 36 appearances this season (15-15-4). Utah enters the action on Thursday as -182 home favorites against an injury-depleted Minnesota team coming off a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
With Noah Dobson returning from a multi-week absence due to a lower-body injury, Perunovich will be the odd man out of the lineup on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. Since being acquired by the Islanders, the 26-year-old Perunovich has averaged 19:12 time-on-ice and scored three points (0G / 3A) in nine games.
Vejmelka was solid in his most recent outing, despite not being heavily tested, saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.52 GAA and .909 SV% in 35 games this season (14-15-4). Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as sizeable -253 home favorites against a Blackhawks club outscored 16-8 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).
Vejmelka was solid in his most recent outing, despite not being heavily tested, saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.52 GAA and .909 SV% in 35 games this season (14-15-4). Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as sizeable -253 home favorites against a Blackhawks club outscored 16-8 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).
Valimaki has not played since January 26th and will report to the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL) after clearing waivers on Monday. The 26-year-old defenseman averaged 16:33 time-on-ice and recorded five points (2G / 3A) in 43 games with Utah this season.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Sharks will turn to Vanecek between the pipes on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old Vanecek had a forgetful final outing before the break for the 4Nations Face Off, allowing eight goals on 34 shots (.765 SV%) in an 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. He has an ugly 4.01 GAA and .878 SV% in 16 appearances this season (3-9-2). The Sharks enter Monday's contest as significant +393 road underdogs against a Jets squad amid a nine-game winning streak.
