Mammoth
A preview of the 2025-26 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: J.J. Peterka, Brandon Tanev, Nate Schmidt, Vitek Vanecek
Key Departures: Matias Maccelli, Michael Kesselring, Josh Doan, Nick Bjugstad
Overview
The shift from Arizona to Utah breathed new life into the organization and the future of hockey looks very bright in a state that was all about basketball and football. The one-time Arizona Coyotes are now the Utah Mammoth. Their 89 points in 2024-25 were a 12-point increase from the prior season, but it still marked the fifth consecutive season and 12th of the last 13 without a postseason appearance.
Offense
Utah’s 240 goals scored had them in the bottom third of the league on offense, but they did have the league’s 10th-best power play. Clayton Keller finished 11th in league scoring and led all Utah players in goals (30), assists (60), points (90) and shots on goal (218). This note from “Boomer” Gordon at NHL Network Radio – Keller’s 252 points over the past three seasons is 16th-most in the NHL over that time span.
With Dylan Guenther (27 goals), Logan Cooley (25 goals) and the addition of JJ Peterka (27 goals), acquired from Buffalo in an off-season trade, Utah has enough skilled forwards to find the back of the net, but they all lack size. Guenther at 6’1” is the tallest of the group. Utah could use some players with size and skill up front that will go to the “dirty” areas of the ice. The Mammoth were one of four teams with 20 one-goal losses.
Defense
Utah’s 247 goals surrendered in 2024-25 were 27 fewer than the season prior, due in large part to giving up 22 fewer goals at full/even strength. In his first season with the organization, Mikhail Sergachev became the team’s No. 1 defenseman. His 15 goals and 53 points led all Utah blueliners in both categories by margin. He logged just over 25 minutes a night and almost five minutes more than Ian Cole, who was second in average time on ice for Utah defenseman that played at least 70 games. Cole’s big asset was acting like a second goalie. His 211 blocked shots led all NHL players last season.
The blue line should be better this season with the return of a healthy Sean Durzi, who missed 52 games due to injury. Free agent Nate Schmidt, who won a Stanley Cup last season with the Panthers, joins Utah on a three-year deal.
Goaltending
With Utah fighting for a playoff spot, Karel Vejmelka started 24 of the team’s final 25 games, including a stretch of 23 in a row. Twenty-three consecutive starts by a goalie in the NHL these days is unprecedented, but he relished the opportunity and those close to the team told me fatigue was not an issue. He gave up two goals or less in 12 of the 24 starts and three or less in 19 of the 24 contests. Vitek Vanecek was signed to a one-year deal to serve as the back up to Vejmelka.
Connor Ingram completed his time in the players assistance program, but was waived by the Mammoth prior to training camp.
Player to Watch
Barrett Hayton is coming off a career high in both goals (20) and points (46). If Hayton, Utah’s second-line center, can build on last season’s point production, fans in Salt Lake City could see playoff hockey in 2025-26.
Outlook
Sportsbooks have Utah’s Over/Under at 92.5 and I am willing to bite on the Over. The Mammoth have a legit shot to make the playoffs and if they do, they will likely have gone Over 92.5, but I would rather play the point total that has a slightly smaller “tax”.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 92.5
To Make the Playoffs: -125
To Miss the Playoffs: +105
To Win the Central Division: +900
To Win the Western Conference: +2200
To Win the Stanley Cup: +4500
2024-25 Recap
Record: 38-31-13, 89 points (6th Central Division)
Over/Under: 36-41-5
Home Favorite: 14-11 // Home Dog: 4-9
Road Favorite: 10-4 // Road Dog: 9-17
Win Score 4 or more: 26 of 38 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 28 of 44
Puck Line Wins: 24 of 38 // Puck Line Losses: 24 of 44
Front End Back-to-Back: 6-6 // Back End Back-to-Back: 4-8
Points Leader: Clayton Keller – 90
Goal Leader: Clayton Keller – 30
Assist Leader: Clayton Keller – 60
Shots on Goal Leader: Clayton Keller – 218
Blocked Shots Leader: Ian Cole – 211
Depth Chart
Forwards
Clayton Keller / Logan Cooley / Dylan Guenther
Nick Schmaltz / Barrett Hayton / J.J. Peterka
Lawson Crouse / Jack McBain / Alex Kerfoot
Liam O’Brien / Kevin Stenlund / Brandon Tanev
Defense
Mikhail Sergachev / John Marino
Olli Maatta / Sean Durzi
Nate Schmidt / Ian Cole
Goalies
Karel Vejmelka / Vitek Vanecek
Power Play Unit 1
Nick Schmaltz, Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, Mikhail Sergachev
