The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insight into the off-season moves; looking at prospect risers; fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season!

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Make sure to check out the Utah Mammoth team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/arizona-coyotes/

To view past 32s go here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/

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It’s been an eventful last few years for this organization. From basically being run into the ground, to then being bought by tech billionaire Ryan Smith and quickly moved to Salt Lake City, positive change has been in the air recently. Known as Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25, after a fan-voting process, they are now the Utah Mammoth. Things have been positive on the ice, as well. Being in the midst of a rebuild when the team moved to Utah, the club really started seeing results last season. They finished with 89 points, missing the postseason by just seven points, playing meaningful games late in the year. Three of their top four team scorers were recent high draft picks: Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther. With the cupboards full of plenty excellent prospects, more help is on the way. That was bolstered by some immense draft lottery odds this year, after years of terrible luck in Arizona. Originally projected to select 14th this past draft, they moved up to fourth overall despite only having a 1.5% chance. They also bolstered their offense this off-season making a huge trade acquiring JJ Peterka from Buffalo. While it was sad to see popular teammates Josh Doan (son of franchise legend Shane) and Michael Kesselring leave, Peterka gives them a legit top six offensive threat. Losing Sean Durzi and John Marino to injuries for most of the first half of last year really hurt their defensive depth, Utah signed Nate Schmidt and Scott Perunovich to help. Perunovich who once was considered a top prospect whose career has been derailed by injuries, is especially an interesting signing. 

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NHL Draft Recap

Round 1, 4th overall: Caleb Desnoyers, C

One of the best players in the QMJHL during 2024-25, he was a leader on a top team in the league. Playing for Moncton, Desnoyers helped them reach the Memorial Cup championship, named MVP of the QMJHL playoffs. An excellent skater, he creates offense on the move, off the perimeter and at the net. Desnoyers has great creativity as a playmaker, while also being a detailed two-way player. He can be trusted to check top players, playing with a physical edge in his game. Desnoyers has the potential to be a No. 1 center who can play in any situation. While he is considered one of the biggest NHL ready prospects from the draft, GM Bill Armstrong is very against rushing players. 

“He’s got a little bit of everything that we want,” Armstrong said after the draft. “He’s got skill, he’s got the high hockey IQ, and he’s someone that led his team down the stretch to a championship as a 17-year-old. That’s hard to do. So, he’s got all the great components we look for in a player, and he really fits our identity for the Mammoth.”

Round 2, 46th overall, Max Psenicka, RD

An athletic defenseman, Psenicka skates very well for a 6-5 player. His mobility and ability to make stops allowed him to play top pro games in Czechia before coming over to WHL mid-season. He did not stand out at that level playing for Portland as some would have expected, though. The question on Psenicka and reason he fell to the second round is offense. He does not have a ton of skill or offensive IQ in his game, although Psenicka has a good point shot and can make solid first passes. 

2025 NHL Draft Profile: Max Pšenička

In 2024–25, Pšenička recorded 7 points in 24 regular-season games for the Winterhawks, then added 8 points in 18 playoff contests. He stepped up in the postseason with steady defensive play and composure in key moments. pic.twitter.com/AfzHahgbSs

— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) June 26, 2025

Round 3, 78th overall, Stepan Hoch, C/LW

If there is one constant with GM Bill Armstrong, he loves drafting big players who can skate well. At 6-4, Hoch is another of Armstong’s type. He uses his big body and engages in physical play. He has decent hands and put up good point totals in Czechia U20 league but struggled offensively with the top league. Hoch can play both center and wing, plays a strong 200-foot game and has potential as a bottom six player. 

Round 4, 110th overall, Yegor Borikov, RW/LW

Playing on the same KHL squad as 2023 draft pick and breakout player Vadim Moroz, Borikov was in his third draft-eligible season. He had played a regular shift with Dinamo Minsk, having a decent year but really came on in the KHL playoffs. Borikov had seven goals in 11 playoff games with zero power play time. Before you think Utah drafted the next Fernando Pisani, Borikov is a strong skating winger with good hands and hockey sense. He plays with pace and creates in the hard areas of the ice. Could be a sleeper. 

Round 5, 142nd overall, Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko, G

Tkach-Tkachenko is a very athletic goalie with decent size (6-3) who impressed Utah at a camp before the draft put on by his agency. He played 2024-25 in the MHL with Tolpar Ufa putting up a 2.99 GAA and .908 SV% in 40 games. Tkach-Tkachenko is a bit raw and inconsistent but has plenty of time to develop in Russia which has produced some excellent goaltenders. 

Round 6, 174th overall, Ludvig Johnson, LHD

At just 6-foot and 181pounds, Johnson seems small for Armstrong type. Johnson must have impressed Utah’s scouting staff with his smooth skating, offensive game. He started last year with EV Zug U20 team in his native Switzerland and had four goals and 17 points in 14 games. Moving on to the senior team he had four goals and 10 points in 31 contests. Johnson also played for Switzerland 2025 WJC team putting up two points. He will play in his home country again this year and should suit up for them during the 2026 WJC. 

Round 6, 182nd overall, Reko Alanko, RD

Whew, back to normal as Alanko in a 6-5 right-shot defenseman. He competes hard and is not afraid to play physically, but his skating does need some work. His offensive instincts are there but do not really stand out. He is more of a defensive defenseman with size. Alanko will play 2024-25 with Jokerit in the Mestis. 

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Off-Season Moves

Incoming

JJ Peterka – Trade with Buffalo- Five years at 7.7 million 

Brandon Tanev – Three-years at 2.5 million 

Nate Schmidt – Three-years at 3.5 million 

Scott Perunovich – Two-way, one-year contract at 775,000 

Vitek Vanecek – One-year at 1.5 million

Peterka changes the dynamic of Utah’s top six and gives them a offensive weapon that is badly needed. Tanev and Schmidt give them solid veteran depth for the rebuilding squad. Vanecek signing gives them depth in goal after a very tough year for Connor Ingram. Perunovich is a worthy gamble on a two-way, one-year contract for the once promising offensive defenseman. 

Outgoing

Matias Maccelli – traded to Toronto for a conditional third-round pick

Maccelli had a couple solid seasons with Arizona/Utah but had fallen out of favor in coach Andre Tourigny’s system. He barely played the second half of 2024-25. Macceli gets a fresh start with the Maple Leafs and can hopefully catch onto a top six role in Toronto. 

Nick Bjugstad, Egor Sokolov, Sean Walker, Josef Korenar, Robert Bortuzzo, and Patrik Koch

Re-Signed 

Jack McBain – Five-year contract at 4.25 million

Nick DeSimone, Michael Carcone, Kailer Yamamoto, Ben McCartney, and Montana Onyebuchi

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In the System

Risers

Dmitri Simashev, LD and Daniil But, LW

Both taken in the 2023 first round, both playing for Lokomotiv, winning a KHL championship last year, both playing very well despite seeing no power play time and now both signing their ELC with Utah. Its expected Simashev and But will start this season with Tucson, but it is very likely finishing the year with Utah. While But has the more fantasy appeal, do not sleep on Simashev who never really got to show his offensive chops with Lokomotiv. I am very excited to see them playing in North America. 

Vojtech Hradec, C

Taken in the sixth round in 2024, Hradec was not really a prospect on anyone’s radar. At 6-4, he was a big center who had some jam to game but did look to have much of an NHL future. That changed at the 2025 WJC, after Hradec had an outstanding tournament. He spent a good amount of time as a top scorer and was clearly one of Czechia’s top players en route to a bronze medal. Playing for BK Mlada Boleslav, he sees limited minutes but for their U20 squad, Hradec is well over a point per game. He is a player very much trending up. 

Tomas Lavoie, RD

Drafted first overall by Cape Breton in the 2022 QMJHL, after a couple years looked to be more of a defensive defenseman. That changed last year as Lavoie racked up 15 goals and 55 points, playing a ton of minutes in all situations. He is still a strong defender who skates well for a big man (6-4 ). It was good to see him gain confidence in his offense as he really rose up the depth chart and projects now as a third pairing defenseman with a chance to be more. 

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Fallers

Michael Hrabal, G

This is not a shot at Hrabal game. He had an outstanding sophomore campaign at UMASS, improving on every goaltending statistic from the year prior and backstopped Czechia to a bronze medal at the 2025 WJC. Rather it is from word coming out from hockey insider Frank Seravalli that Utah tried to sign him and Hrabal had no interest, heading back to UMass. His name has popped up in trade rumors as Utah is worried he will leave as a NCAA free agent. 

Miko Matikka, RW

After being a top scorer in USHL then a strong freshman year at Denver, Matikka signed his ELC with Utah. The potential power forward was quickly shooting up Utah’s prospect depth chart. Unfortunately, Matikka had a really tough first pro year. He split the season between AHL Tucson and ECHL Allen, struggling offensively in both leagues. He had just five goals and 14 points, racking up just two assists in the AHL. While Matikka still had two years left on his ELC, he will need to show improvement in 2025-26. 

Julian Lutz, LW

Much like Matikka, Lutz came into 2024-25 as a potential power forward. He was a top scorer in the USHL the season prior, that after a few years playing in German pro leagues. The second-round pick from 2022 signed his ELC but also struggled adjusting to the pace of the AHL. He managed just two goals and 13 points in 47 games with Tucson. Much like Matikka though it is hard to write him off after one bad first year. Lutz still has two years left on his ELC and can hopefully seize a bigger role with Tucson in 2025-26. 

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Likely to see NHL action

Daniil But

Dmitri Simashev

Maveric Lamoureux

Outside of the injury he suffered in the NHL, Lamoureux had a very good 2024-25. The big (6-7), mobile defenseman did not look out of place with Utah and was one of Tucson’s best d-man to finish out the year when he came back from injury. The Mammoth do not want to rush him, but Lamoureaux is on the cusp. 

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Top 20 Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the Utah Mammoth prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

Caleb Desnoyers

Tij Iginla

Dmitri Simashev

Daniil But

Maveric Lamoureux

Cole Beaudoin

Michael Hrabal

Artyom Duda

Vojtech Hradec

Tomas Lavoie

Max Psenicka

Sam Lipkin

Vadim Moroz

Jonathan Castagna

Stepan Hoch

Yegor Borikov

Veeti Vaisanen

Noel Nordh

Gabe Smith

Will Skahan

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Final Thoughts

Despite the excitement of a new name and fresh faces, Utah’s biggest thing to happen this off-season may have been stability. Last year was a lot, moving from Arizona to Utah in just five months. Looking to take the next step, not having to manage all that chaos could make a huge difference. 

Captain Clayton Keller has emphasized that playoffs is the goal for 2025-26, calling it “playoffs or bust”. With more offensive and defensive depth added this off-season has Utah most experts pick to make the biggest improvement year over year. Utah also has several excellent prospects on the way and the cupboards are filled in pretty much every position. 

GM Bill Armstrong has done a very good job on the rebuild. Now with an owner who actually cares about the team and wants to spend money to improve things, for the first time in a while things are looking up for the franchise. Expect Utah to take another positive step in 2025-26. 

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Make sure to check out the Utah Mammoth team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/arizona-coyotes/

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Thanks for reading! I hope you had a great summer and feel free to follow me on X @KDuggan92