SALT LAKE CITY – Two games, two losses for the Utah Mammoth as they kicked off their 2025 preseason with a split-squad matchup against the Colorado Avalanche.
While the Mammoth did drop both in Denver by an accumulative score of 8-3, aside from some promising moments from a few of the young prospects, the biggest story of the night was the premature departure of Logan Cooley as he did not return during the 3-2 evening loss.
Here are the takeaways from Utah’s two games in Colorado.
Colorado’s Vets took over in game one despite a few glimpses of brilliance from Mammoth prospects
Anytime you’re up against Cale Makar and Gabriel Landeskog, it’s going to be a tall order to walk away with a W and such was the case for the Utah Mammoth in the first preseason matchup on Sunday.
Despite a great first period and a 1-0 lead coming out of the locker room, Colorado’s veterans took their game to a completely different level in the second, delivering a 4-0 middle frame.
The primary orchestrators?
Makar and Landeskog who consistently undressed Utah, played the puck in dangerous areas and registered a few points as the Avs dominated the Mammoth’s crease.
Unsurprisingly, this buried Utah’s chances to win the game as the Mammoth simply could not match the skill and talent of two former All-Stars and Stanley Cup Champions.
Colorado’s veterans getting heavily involved and the Avalanche suddenly lead 2-1.
Landeskog was left wide open right in front, and he got a nice tip to put the puck in the back of the net.
2P: 14:50 | 2-1 Colorado
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 22, 2025
Makar ➡️ Gushchin 🎉 pic.twitter.com/aAp5wuAVNo
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 22, 2025
A quick little move from Nielsen. pic.twitter.com/BgeHphkrZ5
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 22, 2025
While the first group may have suffered a tough 5-1 loss at the hands of Colorado’s finest, some of Utah’s prospects were still able to demonstrate their skills.
Capturing an apple on the only goal of the game for Utah, defenseman Maveric Lamoureux was integral during the scoring sequence as he moved the puck effectively, kept the line, utilized his stick well and helped Carcone light the lamp.
That’s what the coaching staff wants to see from him.
Simple, smart, and effective play, especially in the offensive zone.
Not trying to do too much but making sure to move the puck effectively.
As for Tij Iginla, while he wasn’t able to find the back of the net, he still offered a few sequences of brilliance offensively.
In addition to nearly scoring on a wraparound attempt in the first, Iginla remained dangerous throughout the game as he was aggressive on the forecheck, carried the puck strong and was fearless going at the net.
Iginla definitely needs to get stronger, but you have to like the effort he’s giving on the forecheck.
He might not beat many off the puck, but he can beat them with his speed and utilize his stick to poke the frozen biscuit free.
Simply have to find ways to remain effective.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 22, 2025
On one play in particular later in the third, Iginla took advantage of a two-on-one zone entry as he skated right up the middle, utilized his magic handles to avoid a poke check and then fed Carcone on the backdoor.
Some magic from Tij Iginla on a two on one zone entry situation with Carcone.
Great hands, puck protection to avoid a poke check, and then a gorgeous set up on the back door for Carcone.
Carcone was stoned but what a play by Iginla. That’s what you want to see from him.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 22, 2025
Notably, the young forward was also very strategic in terms of his forechecking effort as he beat opposing skaters to pucks, battled hard and then used his stick to poke pucks free.
That kind of effort will be critical for Iginla as he pushes to make an NHL roster.
He’s not the biggest, he’s not the strongest, but if can remain effective in that regard, that will only better his chances to make the cut.
While he does need to get stronger, which could ultimately be the reason he’s sent back to the juniors, if he can prove that he’s capable of remaining effective and winning battles, he’s going to make the coaching staff’s job incredibly difficult in a few weeks.
Daniil But demonstrated his immense upside with a gorgeous power play goal
After somewhat of an underwhelming performance by Daniil But through the early stages of training camp, the young Russian forward broke through and demonstrated his immense potential with a gorgeous power play goal.
During the second game against Colorado on Sunday night, Utah was awarded a power play during the middle frame.
Following some suffocating pressure from the likes of Logan Cooley and JJ Peterka, But jumped on the ice and wasted no time going at the net.
As he began his attack, But dangled through a defenseman and then ferociously barreled his way towards goal before unleashing a fierce shot top shelf.
This is the upside of Daniil But.
If he can consistently produce like this, he’s going to be top six forward for the mammoth.
When he gets going downhill at the net with confidence, it’s REALLY hard to stop. https://t.co/guIdtvax3T
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 22, 2025
Goodness gracious. Top shelf too.
The potential is there. Can he reach it?
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 22, 2025
That’s the upside that the front office is hoping he can reach on a consistent basis.
A mammoth presence with speed, skill and power who can provide an offensive spark.
Clearly, he’s got the potential.
But what’s it going to take to produce that every night in the NHL?
For now, he’s still young, he’s still learning and he’s going through the early stages of his development in the best league in the world.
It’s going to take time and could require an extended stay in the AHL this year.
But there’s a belief that he can reach that level at some point.
If so, watch out for a towering 6-foot-6 goal scoring monster amongst Utah’s top six in the near future.
The Utah Mammoth power play unit looked great, but Logan Cooley left early with an injury
A sentence that no Mammoth fan ever wants to hear or read, but Logan Cooley was injured during the third period on Sunday night and did not return to action.
Attempting to play the puck in the offensive zone, Cooley was violently smashed into the boards from behind by Colorado’s Zakhar Bardakov which resulted in an obvious penalty.
Despite giving it a go on the next shift, Cooley quickly returned to the bench, made his way to the locker room and did not return.
Logan Cooley making his way to the locker room after that nasty boarding hit…gave it a go but he’s headed back.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 22, 2025
For now, no official update on Cooley has been provided, but it’s something to certainly keep an eye on.
On a more positive note, before Cooley departed the contest, the power play unit with Peterka looked incredibly promising.
While some were uncertain about dropping 92 from the top PP unit, Sunday night’s game was a prime example of why it’s absolutely worth trying.
Last year, the second unit was simply abysmal, struggling to produce all season and putting a ton of pressure on the top unit to consistently score.
However, now with a little more depth, utilizing Cooley and Peterka on PP2 allows for Utah to keep their foot on the gas and will hopefully increase the overall special teams production.
So what if the top unit doesn’t always score?
The defense will have their hands full with the speed, creativity and goal scoring of 92 and 77 for the second half of the man advantage which undoubtedly will result in points.
This game has been a great example of why the Mammoth want Cooley & Peterka on PP2.
Last year, PP2 was ABYSMAL.
But with Cooley and Peterka, Utah can remain incredibly dangerous with speed, creativity, spacing & goal scoring.
That’s important and so far, looks great.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 22, 2025
Overall, despite the 3-2 loss, the second game was a much better showing for the Mammoth.
However, Cooley’s situation will be one to watch once the team provides an official update.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
Training camp will take place from September 17 through October 4 at the new training facility in Sandy.
The Mammoth’s next preseason game will be against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night at 8 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
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