2025-26
Record: 43-33-6, 92 points, 4th in Central Division
Playoffs: Lost to Vegas in First Round
Key Losses
F – JJ Peterka (Trade w/ BOS), G – Vitek Vanecek (NYI), D – Ian Cole (CHI), F – Alexander Kerfoot (NAS), D – Sean Durzi (Trade w/ NYR)
Key Additions
G – Sebastian Cossa (Trade w/ DET), F – Vincent Trocheck (Trade w/ NYR), F – Anders Lee (Signed via FA), D – Zac Jones (Signed via FA)
2026-27 Preview
Ready for the Next Step Forward
For the Utah Mammoth, the 2025-26 season marked a monumental second year in Salt Lake City, as the franchise reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in its history. Although their postseason run ended with a first-round loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, simply reaching the playoffs represented a major milestone for an organization that is still establishing its identity in Utah.
The Mammoth used the offseason to add veteran experience to a relatively young roster, acquiring forwards Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee to provide additional leadership, depth, and stability throughout the forward group. Both players bring extensive NHL experience and should help support Utah’s emerging young core as the organization looks to build on last season’s breakthrough.
Utah also addressed its goaltending by acquiring Sebastian Cossa, giving the Mammoth another talented option to compete with Karel Vejmelka for playing time. Cossa’s arrival creates additional competition between the pipes while giving the organization another young goaltender who could potentially become part of its long-term plans.
The Mammoth now enter the 2026-27 season with expectations that are much higher than they were a year ago. Making the playoffs is no longer simply the goal—the next challenge is advancing further once they get there. With a young core continuing to develop, veterans providing leadership, and increased competition throughout the roster, Utah has positioned itself to take another step forward.
However, the Central Division remains one of the NHL’s toughest, with several established contenders standing in the Mammoth’s way. If Utah can build on last season’s success and continue developing its young talent, the Mammoth could prove that their first playoff appearance was just the beginning.
The Year Ahead for Barrett Hayton
Barrett Hayton enters the 2026-27 season with plenty to prove after becoming the subject of one of the offseason’s more intriguing contract situations. The New Jersey Devils signed the 26-year-old center to a one-year offer sheet worth an average annual value of $4.775 million. Utah elected to match the offer, ensuring Hayton remains with the Mammoth for the upcoming season. However, under NHL rules, Utah cannot trade him during the season, and Hayton will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The Devils’ decision to pursue Hayton was a calculated gamble. Through 358 career NHL games, he has recorded 65 goals and 90 assists for 155 points, showing flashes of top-six potential but struggling to produce consistently from year to year. Hayton has reached the 20-goal mark once and has posted two 40-point seasons, making him an intriguing player whose upside has yet to be fully realized.
Now, the pressure is on. Hayton is coming off a disappointing 2025-26 campaign in which he totaled just 10 goals and 25 points in 67 games. The 2026-27 season represents an opportunity to re-establish himself as a core piece of the Mammoth’s future and earn a long-term contract before reaching free agency.
If Hayton can rediscover his offensive game, Utah will likely make retaining him a priority. If not, the organization could be faced with the very real possibility of losing him for nothing when he hits the open market next summer. Either way, Hayton’s contract situation will be one of the more compelling storylines to follow throughout the season.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Clayton Keller — Nick Schmaltz — Vincent Trocheck
Anders Lee — Logan Cooley — Dylan Guenther
Lawson Crouse — Barrett Hayton — Michael Carcone
Jack McBain — Kevin Stenlund — Kailer Yamamoto
Defense
Mikhail Sergachev — MacKenzie Weegar
Nate Schmidt — John Marino
Dmitri Simashev — Andrew Peeke
Goalies
Karel Vejmelka
Sebastian Cossa