SALT LAKE CITY – In just two short weeks, the Utah Mammoth will begin their second season in the National Hockey League as they face the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on October 9.
As the organization, players and fans approach the new year with great anticipation, one of the biggest storylines of training camp remains, will a young prospect actually crack the opening night roster?
Training camp injuries may provide Utah Mammoth prospects with a chance to make the roster
Leading up to another NHL season, injuries are a fairly common occurrence during training camp.
Given the physical nature of the sport in addition to the blazing speed, there’s generally a handful of skaters that miss time during the preseason which can then carry over into regular season.
For Utah, one player that could possibly miss some games to begin the year is forward Alexander Kerfoot, who is currently listed as week-to-week.
Update on Mammoth injuries:
Cooley (day to day)
McBain (day to day)
Kerfoot (week to week)
O’Brien should be back soon
Hayton is healthy
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 24, 2025
Mammoth players to watch in case an opening night roster spot becomes available
Looking at the current roster, they’re roughly four players to keep an eye on through the remainder of camp in case Kerfoot’s spot opens up to begin the season.
In addition to young prospects Cole Beaudoin, Tij Iginla and Daniil But, veteran Kailer Yamamoto rounds out the list of four players that will most likely compete for the possible spot.
Cole Beaudoin
Standing 6-foot-2, 209 pounds, Beaudoin is a menacing forward with a linebacker type build and an endless supply of gas in the tank.
Utilizing his size, the young center consistently suffocates opposing teams with his relentless forecheck, punishing physicality and an active stick.
According to him, that’s just all part of his game as he doesn’t fear a single other skater in the league.
“That’s my game,” he told KSL Sports. “Going into the corners against guys bigger than me or smaller than me. It doesn’t matter.”
“If they’re heavier or bigger, that’s just my game…that’s stuff I love. Those battles, that competition.”
With Beaudoin, you know exactly what you’re getting on the ice.
A fearless workhorse who will give 110 percent on every shift.
Where can he improve?
His skating and becoming more dangerous in the offensive zone.
So, while Beaudoin is a safe bet, he’s likely not going to surprise you right now, which can be either good or bad.
Daniil But
At 6-foot-5, 203 pounds, But is a powerful and towering one-way freight train of offense.
His destination? Getting to the net and finding a way to get the puck across the line.
As fans witnessed the other night, when he’s got a clear lane and can attack the slot with pace, there’s not a lot of goaltenders who are going to stop him.
Goodness gracious. Top shelf too.
The potential is there. Can he reach it?
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 22, 2025
“It was my teammates great work,” But said of the goal. “I just shoot the puck. I did what I do best. I just shoot the puck and score.”
“Every goal boosts confidence. I’m happy to do that. I need to score more & improve every day.”
He’s right.
As of now, the key for But will be learning how to unlock that kind of result on a more consistent basis.
However, during camp, he’s still mostly figuring things and learning how to make the transition from the KHL to the NHL.
That’s great. That’s why he’s here.
“But is an energy player who is really receptive to coaching,” Coach Tourigny said. “He needs to keep going in that way.”
“He needs to know who he is and what he does. He knows so I am happy about that.”
But does it make sense to have him fill the spot in case Kerfoot can’t go?
Depends on how the rest of the preseason goes and whether or not he’s able to recreate that kind of production.
If and when he’s able to do that, watch out.
Tij Iginla
Offensively, Mr. Tij Iginla has all the talent and potential in the world.
He’s fast, he’s smart, creative, aware, deceptive and carries a lethal wrist shot in his arsenal at all times.
Iginla’s feet impress me the most here.
Watch his stride and how he positions his body to attack. That’s ridiculous. https://t.co/YTjxydSTjJ
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 23, 2025
So, where does he stack up in the competition?
With Iginla, there’s obviously a ton of upside.
His offense appears to be NHL ready, and he could potentially prove he’s fully ready to play with the big boys if provided the opportunity.
“I want to be a shooter…I think I’m pretty well rounded offensively as well,” Iginla stated with confidence.
“I try to be someone who you don’t necessarily know for sure what they’re going to do in terms of passing, shooting, making a move.”
However, while his offense is quite impressive, there are still a few things that he needs to work on.
First and foremost, he needs to become “hockey strong.”
Too often, he’s being bumped off of pucks and losing 50/50 battles.
He has made some efforts to work around that, but still, more strength wouldn’t hurt.
Additionally, Iginla would also greatly benefit from improving his game and positioning on the defensive side of the puck.
Just because you’re smaller doesn’t mean you can’t be effective in your own zone.
Finally, as coach Tourigny noted on Wednesday, this is Iginla’s first full return since his hip surgery.
He needs time to get his legs under him and reacclimate.
“Iggy didn’t play for nine months. He arrived and it’s go, its NHL. So, we needed to get a little bit of time to get his legs under himself,” Tourigny explained.
“But if I look at his positioning last game, versus the rookie tournament, it’s getting better every day. It’s a lot of information for him but he’s doing a good job.”
Like Coach pointed out, he’s getting better every day and making progress.
But would it be the smartest move to throw him into the NHL after dual hip surgery?
That’s for them to potentially decide.
Kailer Yamamoto
Now that we’ve reviewed all the kids, let’s talk about the lone veteran.
Stepping into his seventh season, Yamamoto possesses more NHL and AHL experience than all the aforementioned prospects combined.
Now, while it is important to note that he did spend most of last season with Tucson Roadrunners, Yamamoto also played in 12 games with Utah last year where he registered two goals and an assist.
Not the best numbers, but what he lacked in production, he certainly made up for with a tenacious effort.
In addition to his experience, that’s what sets Yamamoto apart from the prospects.
He’s been there before, he knows what it takes and he’s fighting to keep his career alive.
“Yammy is super smart, super quick, and super competitive…he’s one of our best guys to win battles along the wall,” Tourigny explained.
“Sometimes you get fooled by his size, but he wins a ton of battles…he fearless and he’s playing the game the right way, so we like him a lot.”
Not that the prospects aren’t anxious to prove they’re ready, but there’s just something different about a player who is trying to prove they still belong.
“Just proving that I belong here,” Kailer Yamamoto said regarding his goals this season.
“It was good for me to go down to the AHL last year…now that I have that confidence, bring it back up here & showcase it in the NHL.”
Yamamoto wants to make Utah’s roster and believes he’s still an NHL player.
“Just proving that I belong here.”
“It was good for me to go down to the AHL last year…now that I have that confidence, bring it back up here & showcase it in the NHL.” pic.twitter.com/BXWAkkiSQz
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 25, 2025
For a team that needs as much heart and skill as possible to make the playoffs, Yamamoto could make a lot of sense if they need to fill a spot.
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 Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday 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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