Utah's Defensemen Out in Inaugural NHL Season

The Utah Hockey Club is facing challenges with the long-term absence of key defensemen Sean Durzi and John Marino, both sidelined due to surgeries. Durzi underwent right shoulder surgery and will be out for 4-6 months, while Marino had lower-back surgery, sidelining him for 3-4 months. These injuries deplete Utah's blue line depth, with both players having been expected to play significant roles this season. The team recalled Maveric Lamoureux from the AHL to fill the gap, alongside increased roles for other defensemen like Michael Kesselring and Robert Bortuzzo. Despite these setbacks, Utah has had a promising start in their inaugural NHL season with a 4-2-1 record. The team is focusing on internal solutions to manage during this period, although they may explore trade options depending on their performance.