The Utah Hockey Club has got off to a great start; they have beaten several good teams already, including Stanley Cup contenders in the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins.
However, this hot start has not led you to believe Utah has become a dominant team, but rather one where they are lucky to have a winning record.
Utah's offence and powerplay have carried this team through the first seven games of the season, but they have struggled mightily to keep the puck out of their net.
It's important to note that the Utah Hockey Club's offensive prowess has been instrumental in their early victories. However, the team's defensive struggles are a cause for concern and must be addressed to ensure continued success.
This consistency could easily be achieved if these two Utah bluelines step up and start making a positive impact.
Ian Cole early season struggles for the Utah Hockey Club are a significant concern.
Ian Cole was one of Utah General Manager Bill Armstrong's offseason acquisitions, brought in as a shutdown guy who provided stability on the backend and has done anything but that.
Through Utah's first six games, Cole has a 36.65% expected goal share, a 40% actual goal share and a 41.57% shot share while on the ice at five-on-five. Worst of all, Cole has been on the for 23 high-danger chances against while only being on the ice for 11 high-danger chances for a 32.35% high-danger chance share.
In addition, Cole is turning the puck over at an alarming rate. He gives the puck away three times more than he takes it away per 60 minutes.
Cole should also be relied on as one of Utah's penalty killers. However, he can not stay out of the box and has put his team at a man disadvantage six times in six games this season.
Historically, Cole has been a reliable defenseman, but maybe his age is finally starting to show through. If the Utah Hockey Club is going to find any defensive consistency, they are going to need Ian Cole to be much better.
Juuso Valimaki struggling early with the Utah Hockey Club.
Valimaki's early season struggles come as a surprise, considering he has won the expected goal share and scoring chance share in all three years he has played 50+ games in the NHL and finished the year as a plus 15 while on the ice for the Arizona Coyotes last season.
However, through Utah's first game of the season, Valimaki has been on the ice for 23 high-danger chances against and has a 40.40% expected goal share while on the ice at five-on-five.
Much like Cole, Valimaki is turning the puck over far too often. He needs to make far better decisions with the puck and make more consistent passes when retrieving pucks in the defensive zone to make for quicker breakouts rather than continuously getting hemmed in the defensive end while on the ice.
If Cole & Valimaki can step up for the Utah Hockey Club, this team will be in a great spot despite being down two of their best defensemen in Sean Durzi and John Marino.
All stats from NaturalStatTrick