Summer Coolers – Utah Mammoth

The Utah Mammoth took a major step forward last season, finishing with 92 points and reaching the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 bubble—and only the second time in 14 seasons dating back to the Arizona era. After losing to Vegas in six games, GM Bill Armstrong responded with an aggressive offseason built around keeping his core together while adding veteran leadership. Neil Smith and Vic Morren both see Utah as a team on the rise, with the potential to move beyond the wild-card conversation and challenge for a top-three spot in the Central Division.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] Utah finishes fourth in the Central with 92 points and finally returns to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

[00:00:20] The Mammoth take a 2-1 series lead against Vegas before ultimately falling to the Golden Knights in six games.

[00:00:35] Andre Tourigny enters his sixth season with the organization after overseeing significant progress dating back to the Arizona Coyotes years.

[00:00:50] Bill Armstrong focuses on continuity during the offseason with six re-signings and extensions.

[00:01:00] Utah also matches New Jersey’s offer sheet to Barrett Hayton, keeping him on a one-year, $4.775 million contract.

[00:01:15] Former Islanders captain Anders Lee joins Utah on a three-year, $5.4 million-per-season deal, adding leadership and character.

[00:01:30] Vinny Trocheck arrives from the Rangers in exchange for Sean Durzi, Cole Beaudoin and a 2027 third-round pick.

[00:01:45] Vic asks whether Utah has progressed beyond simply being a playoff team and could emerge as a major force in the Western Conference.

[00:02:00] Neil stops short of calling the Mammoth a powerhouse but believes they have broken through the wild-card bubble.

[00:02:15] Instead of scratching and clawing for one of the final playoff spots, Neil believes Utah can challenge for a top-three position in the Central.

[00:02:30] Trocheck receives particularly high marks as an addition who can strengthen Utah down the middle.

[00:02:40] Neil also loves what Lee brings in leadership and character, although he questions whether three years might be one year too many at this stage of Lee’s career.

[00:02:55] Overall, Neil believes Armstrong has done an excellent job strengthening a roster that was already moving in the right direction.

[00:03:00] Nick Schmaltz receives a major commitment with an eight-year contract worth $8 million annually.

[00:03:15] Michael Carcone, Kailer Yamamoto, Kevin Stenlund and Nick DeSimone are also retained.

[00:03:25] John Marino receives an eight-year, $6.75 million extension beginning in 2027-28.

[00:03:35] Defenseman Andrew Peeke joins Utah from Boston on a one-year deal, providing another veteran option on the blue line.

[00:03:45] Utah’s optimism extends beyond the NHL roster. The prospect pipeline includes 2024 sixth-overall selection Tij Iginla, son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.

[00:04:00] Caleb Desnoyers, the fourth overall selection in 2025, gives the organization another high-end young forward.

[00:04:10] Goaltending prospects Sebastian Cossa and Michael Hrabal provide additional organizational depth for the future.

[00:04:25] Neil closes with a clear assessment: Utah has taken meaningful steps and should be considered one of the NHL’s teams on the rise.

The Mammoth are no longer simply hoping to sneak into the postseason. Armstrong has retained key players, added Trocheck and Lee, and built a prospect pipeline capable of supporting the NHL roster. After 92 points and a playoff appearance, the next challenge is establishing Utah as a consistent top-three Central Division team—and Neil and Vic believe the pieces are beginning to fall into place.