On March 26, 2022, the Arizona Coyotes acquired the rights to forward Jack McBain from the Minnesota Wild for the Vancouver Canucks’ 2022 second-round pick. Nearly three years since the trade, the 25-year-old has established himself as a key bottom-six player for the Utah Hockey Club.
Related: Dylan Guenther & Jack McBain’s Chemistry Shine on Utah HC’s Second Line
Here’s why McBain needs to be extended or re-signed before the 2025-26 NHL season.
McBain’s Complete Package
The former Boston College Eagle stands at 6-foot-4, weighing 219 pounds. His larger frame positions him to lead Utah in hits with 248, currently dishing out the sixth-most hits in the league. McBain has dropped the gloves five times this season, displaying his physical playstyle. His knack for agitating opponents makes him Utah’s top penalty-drawer this season, with 51 minutes drawn.
“[McBain] can play both. He’s a really good centerman, to be honest, but he also brings physicality and a net presence and speed,” Utah head coach André Tourigny said (from ‘Jack McBain found the world’s largest Costco and possibly his new linemates
,’ The Salt Lake Tribune, Sept. 19, 2024).
McBain has won 51.9% (fourth-best on Utah for qualified centers) of his draws in the faceoff circle this season. This marks the left-handed shot’s highest faceoff win percentage of his career. He can also be seen out on the penalty kill due to his long reach and faceoff specialties.
In the offensive zone, he boasts a 1.3 goals above expected rate, the fourth-best on Utah. On top of that, McBain holds the second-best shooting percentage on Utah at 15.6% (one-tenth behind forward Logan Cooley for the team’s best). The Canadian is projected to finish one point shy of matching a third consecutive season of 26 points. He has scored 12 goals and 10 assists this season.
Overall, McBain checks all the boxes for Tourigny.
McBain Brings Stability to Utah’s Uncertain Bottom-Six Core’s Future
Here’s a look at Utah’s lines from its most recent game:
Keep the energy going 👏 pic.twitter.com/lYZV9xBTfc
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) March 25, 2025
Some people may question whether forward Michael Carcone is a true top-six winger. With that in mind, it’s an area general manager Bill Armstrong will need to address in the offseason because of forward Matias Maccelli’s struggles this season. The Finn is coming off a career-high 57-point campaign in 2023-24.
Forward Lawson Crouse is another slumping candidate who is projected to finish with his lowest point total in four seasons. Maccelli’s linemate on Arizona’s go-to third line last season posted his second-best single-season point total with 42 points. Forward Nick Bjugstad completes Utah’s underperforming third line from earlier this season. The 32-year-old is in the final year of his $2.1 million average annual value (AAV) deal.
Forward Josh Doan has been up and down from the Tucson Roadrunners, Utah’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. The 20-year-old Arizona State product has accumulated 15 points in 40 games with Utah this season.
Forward Alex Kerfoot and Kevin Stenlund are under contract through the season. The two have been Tourigny’s defensive specialists this season and will look to do so next season.
Therefore, McBain provides a more consistent approach than the four struggling forwards mentioned above.
Potential Contract Offers for McBain
With the NHL announcing salary cap increases for teams over the coming three seasons, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact amount for a developing centerman. McBain’s current contract is a two-year deal worth $1.6 million AAV. Once his contract expires this summer, he will be a restricted free agent. Here’s a rough estimate of what the 25-year-old could earn if he’s re-signed:
Three years worth $2.5 million to $3 million AAV. Here’s how the deal would stack up against other current bottom-six forward contracts on Utah:
- Lawson Crouse – $4.3 million AAV
- Matias Maccelli – $3.4 million AAV
- Alex Kerfoot – $3 million AAV
- Jack McBain – $2.5 million to $3 million AAV*
- Kevin Stenlund – $2 million AAV
- Liam O’Brien – $1 million AAV
- Josh Doan – $925,000 AAV
- Michael Carcone – $775,000 AVV
In all, McBain should be a key priority in the team’s offseason.
