2024-25
Record: 38-31-13, 6th in Central Division
Playoffs: Missed Stanley Cup Playoffs
Key Losses
Michael Kesselring (D – Trade with BUF), Josh Doan (F – Trade with BUF), and Nick Bjugstad (F – Signed with STL)
Key Additions
JJ Peterka (F – Trade with BUF), Nate Schmidt (D – Signed via FA), Brandon Tanev (F – Signed via FA), and Vitek Vanecek (G – Signed via FA)
2025-26 Preview
Raising Expectations
Going into the 2025-26 season, the newly named Utah Mammoth are looking to rise to new expectations after having what many considered a successful first season in Utah. With those raised expectations, the Mammoth made some moves and added some veteran presence to all three positions. On offense, the Mammoth signed Brandon Tanev who will add more grit to the third line, and also add some veteran leadership to the locker room.
Then the Mammoth also signed a pair of newly minted Stanley Cup champions with defenseman Nate Schmidt, who will shore up the third pairing with Ian Cole, and goaltender Vitek Vanecek, who will backup Karel Vejmelka. For the Mammoth, these are solid moves to compliment the ones they made the previous offseason before their inaugural season in Utah. This season could be a good one in Utah, and the Mammoth could be a surprise team in the Central Division.
Adding Some Scoring Punch
One need the Mammoth addressed during the offseason was trading for forward JJ Peterka. The winger was looking to get out of Buffalo, and the Mammoth sent defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan to the Sabres for Peterka. While the Mammoth had to give up two young players for Peterka, there is a lot of plus side to having Peterka in the lineup. Peterka was starting to prove in Buffalo his offensive prowess, but with how things are in Buffalo, Peterka wanted to be somewhere that he knew would take winning and making the playoffs more seriously. Utah fits that build over Buffalo right now.
With players like Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and Barrett Hayton coming into their own, Peterka is in good company in Utah, and will be given more tools to bring the offensive production.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Clayton Keller — Logan Cooley — Dylan Guenther
Nick Schmaltz — Barrett Hayton — JJ Peterka
Lawson Crouse — Jack McBain — Brandon Tanev
Liam O’Brien — Kevin Stenlund — Alexander Kerfoot
Defense
Mikhail Sergachev — John Marino
Olli Maatta — Sean Durzi
Nate Schmidt — Ian Cole
Goalies
Karel Vejmelka
Vitek Vanecek
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