The Utah Mammoth may not yet be a household name across the NHL, but the young franchise is quietly building a contender. After finishing just seven points shy of a playoff spot last season, Utah appears ready to take the next step, and much of that optimism centers around 22-year-old Canadian winger Dylan Guenther.

Guenther had a breakout campaign in 2025, posting 27 goals and 60 points in 70 games while leading Utah’s emerging forward group. His scoring touch, vision, and ability to impact games have consistently put him on the radar as one of the league’s rising stars.

Recognizing this potential early, the Mammoth made a bold move, signing Guenther to an eight-year, $56.8 million contract extension that locks him up through his prime.

Why Dylan Guenther’s Long-Term Extension Could Be One of the NHL’s Smartest Signings

At the time, some questioned the deal. Guenther had played just 78 career games when he signed the extension, and $7.1 million annually seemed like a steep commitment for an unproven player. However, with the NHL salary cap projected to rise significantly in the coming years, this deal is now being hailed as one of the most team-friendly contracts in hockey.

The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn included Guenther’s extension in his top 10 NHL contracts for 2025, noting that Utah acted at the perfect time:

“The Utah Mammoth was wise to extend Dylan Guenther one year early, locking him up for his entire prime at a bargain rate.”

”What looked like a potential steal at the time was only confirmed last season after Guenther scored at a 70-point pace in his first full NHL season,” Luszczyszyn mentioned. “He looks like a future star, which only makes this deal look better with each passing year. While $7.1 million is fringe first-line money now, it’ll be closer to average top-six money over the life of Guenther’s deal.”

In honor of Pioneer Day and the first pilgrims reaching Salt Lake, let’s rewind to the first-ever goal in Utah’s NHL history.

5 minutes into the home opener on Oct. 8 against Chicago, Dylan Guenther welcomed Utah to the NHL.#TusksUp | @KSLSportsZone pic.twitter.com/vhJISFukGE

— Mike Folta (@mike_folta) July 24, 2025

This is exactly the type of contract that allows franchises to stay competitive long-term. If Guenther continues his current trajectory or takes another step forward, Utah will have one of the league’s top wingers locked in at a bargain rate well below market value.

Securing core players like Guenther is essential for a franchise looking to make its first-ever playoff appearance. With elite young talent already on the roster and smart long-term planning, the Mammoth are positioning themselves as a future powerhouse, and Guenther’s extension could go down as the move that accelerated their rise.