Utah Mammoth
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the Utah Mammoth, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Vincent Trocheck, Anders Lee, Sebastian Cossa
Key Departures: JJ Peterka, Sean Durzi, Ian Cole, Vitek Vanecek, Alexander Kerfoot
Overview
For the first time since 2019-20, the Arizona/Utah franchise returned to the NHL postseason in just its second season in Utah. The Mammoth took a 2-1 opening round series lead before being overwhelmed by the Vegas Golden Knights, losing the next three games and bowing out in six games. The off-season saw key additions up front as the Mammoth acquired center Vincent Trocheck and long-time New York Islanders captain Anders Lee, clearly stating they are ready to be serious players in the Western Conference.
Offense
The Mammoth scored 268 goals last season, putting them in the top 10, and with the additions of Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee to the forward group, there is no reason Utah can’t join the 300-goal club this season. Dylan Guenther led the team with 40 goals and is a scoring threat every time he touches the ice. His center, Logan Cooley, had 24 goals and was on pace for 36 goals if not for an injury that limited him to 52 games. I expect him to join as the third member of the line, giving the dynamic duo a player who can create space for them on the ice. Utah’s top line of Nick Schmaltz (33), Clayton Keller (26) and Lawson Crouse (24) combined for 83 goals. The addition of Trocheck makes the Mammoth three-deep at center. Last season Utah scored four or more goals in 32 of their 43 wins (74%).
Defense
Mikhail Sergachev has clearly established himself as Utah’s number one defenseman. He anchors the team’s number-one power-play unit, plays 24 minutes a night, and led Utah’s defensemen with 10 goals and 59 points. He was quickly paired with MacKenzie Weegar, who came to Utah at the deadline, and they became a very good shutdown pair. Veterans John Marino (+42) and Nate Schmidt (31) led the team in plus/minus and showed they can be very effective versus the opposition’s best players. The Mammoth rewarded Marino with an eight-year, $54 million contract in the summer. Dmitry Simashev and Andrew Peeke comprise the third pair. Simashev got a taste of NHL life last season, playing 28 games (0 goals, one assist), then spending the rest of the year with their AHL team, filling the spot of Sean Durzi, who was traded to the Rangers in the Trocheck deal.
Goaltending
Karel Vejmelka started the most games (63) among NHL goalies last season, and if you asked him to play all 84, he wouldn’t flinch. This guy is so well conditioned. But even the best conditioned need rest, and Vejmelka appeared to wear down in the playoffs. The Mammoth said goodbye to backup Vitek Vanecek, who earned just five wins in 19 starts and was traded for Sebastian Cossa. Cossa, a 2021 first-round selection by the Red Wings, has just one NHL game on his resume.
Player to Watch
With the regular season schedule expanding to 84 games, it is even more imperative that the Mammoth can rely on Sebastian Cossa for at least 25 starts and that the team earns somewhere between 25–30 points in those games. Utah needs a backup goalie who can help keep Karel Vejmelka fresh for an extended playoff run.
Outlook
I am very bullish on the Mammoth. The additions of Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee should increase their offensive production, and they also give them two players willing to go to the dirty areas of the ice and get you a greasy goal. Last season the Mammoth finished with 92 points, and this year their Over/Under point total is set at 96.5. Give me Utah Over 96.5 (+100) and a small sprinkle to finish second in the Central Division (+450) and third place (+375).
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 96.5 (Over +100, Under -130)
To Make the Playoffs: (-185)
To Miss the Playoffs: (+150)
To Win the Division: (+800)
To Win the Western Conference: (+1600)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+3000)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 43-33-6 (92 points, Wild Card 1)
Over/Under: 38-41-3
Home Favorite: 19-15 // Home Dog: 2-3
Road Favorite: 9-7 // Road Dog: 10-13
Win Score 4 or more: 32 of 43 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 25 of 39
Puck Line Wins: 27 of 43 // Puck Line Losses: 22 of 39
Front End Back-to-Back: 4-7 // Back End Back-to-Back: 3-8
Points Leader: Clayton Keller – 88
Goal Leader: Dylan Guenther – 40
Teams First Goal Leader: Dylan Guenther – 14
Assist Leader: Clayton Keller – 62
Shots on Goal Leader: Dylan Guenther – 242
Blocked Shots: Ian Cole – 151
Depth Chart
Forwards
Lawson Crouse / Nick Schmaltz / Clayton Keller
Anders Lee / Logan Cooley / Dylan Guenther
Barrett Hayton / Vincent Trocheck / Michael Carcone
Jack McBain / Kevin Stenlund / Brandon Tanev
Defense
Mikhail Sergachev / MacKenzie Weegar
Nate Schmidt / John Marino
Dmitriy Simashev / Andrew Peeke
Goalies
Karel Vejmelka / Sebastian Cossa
