The Utah Mammoth has wasted no time establishing itself as one of the NHL’s most intriguing new franchises. After unveiling their official team identity and branding following months of anticipation, the team now finds itself at a critical crossroads: What to do with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Mammoth technically won the second pick in the draft lottery, but under league rules that only allow a 10-spot jump, they’ll instead pick fourth overall. Still, it’s a valuable asset and one that could help reshape the team’s present and future in a major way.
With over $20 million in cap space, a young offensive core, and one of the most flexible rosters in the league, the team is poised to make headlines this offseason.
And that’s where Mitch Marner enters the picture.
Could Mitch Marner Be the Utah Mammoth’s Blockbuster Trade Target?
Marner, the Maple Leafs forward, is expected to hit free agency or be traded this summer. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently reported that Marner’s camp has not engaged in contract talks with the Maple Leafs, leading many around the league to believe his days in blue and white are over. This could be a golden opportunity for a new franchise like the Mammoth.
The team already has key young players like Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and Clayton Keller performing well. But a high-end playmaker like Marner could be the piece that turns them into a true playoff contender faster than expected.
Marner would instantly become the face of the franchise, and his combination of speed, vision, and elite passing would elevate everyone around him.
Elliotte Friedman: Utah is a “team to watch” re Mitch Marner – SN 590
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 3, 2025
The fourth overall pick gives Utah leverage that few other teams have. While most rebuilding clubs hoard their top picks, Utah appears open to moving them for the right return. Marner certainly qualifies.
Sportsnet’s JD Bunkis also weighed in on Marner’s ongoing contract saga with the Toronto Maple Leafs, expressing confusion over the perceived tension:
”He decides Toronto isn’t the place he wants to play. Okay, good for him. It’s not for everybody. The part I can’t understand is the animosity. The Leafs gave you everything, drafted you when it wasn’t a slam dunk, gave you a huge extension, never pushed you to be traded. What is he so mad about?”
While acknowledging that it’s Marner’s right to explore opportunities elsewhere, Bunkis highlighted the Leafs have consistently supported the star winger, from drafting him high in 2015 to offering a lucrative extension and never forcing trade discussions.
What’s next for Mitch Marner? @JDBunkis reacts to the reports that Marner’s camp has not engaged in contract talks with Toronto. #LeafsForever
https://t.co/ET2culOpbD pic.twitter.com/GsP47Tc6bC
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) June 16, 2025
The Mammoth has several potential routes to consider as it navigates a pivotal offseason. First, they could use the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to add another top-tier prospect to their already promising young core.
This would be the most stable and long-term strategy, though it might mean delaying their ambitions of contending immediately. Another option is to trade the pick for an established star like Marner. While this approach carries some risk, it could pay massive dividends if Utah can negotiate a contract extension with Marner ahead of time.
Acquiring one of the NHL’s premier wingers in exchange for a prospect who may take years to develop could significantly accelerate the Mammoth’s timeline. Finally, Utah could dive into a bidding war once free agency opens on July 1.
With over $20 million in cap space, they have the financial muscle to go after Marner aggressively. However, with several other teams likely to compete for his signature, there’s no certainty he would choose Utah, making the trade option potentially more strategic and controllable.
The Mammoth doesn’t need to make a desperation move. But they’re in a rare position for an expansion team: cap space, young talent, and now a top-5 draft pick. Packaging the fourth overall selection in a trade for Marner would show the league that Utah isn’t just here to participate; it’s here to compete.
It remains to be seen if the Maple Leafs are ready to part with Marner or what kind of return they’d demand. But if Utah is serious about fast-tracking its rise, dangling the No. 4 pick could be the bold move that sets the Mammoth apart.
