Starting The Season Strong

While the Utah Mammoth has 16 points and stands third in the conference as well as divisional standings, it’s still early in the season. To get a reality check, last season they had a 5-4-2 record, good for 12 points. The newest NHL franchise managed to pull off seven wins in a row, joining the “elite” club alongside other accomplished NHL teams.

A strong start is imperative to any NHL team’s success. The true test comes when and if they can continue to put wins together. They have been strong at home thus far, winning all four contests. They have a 4-3 road record and have beaten a tough Central Division opponent in the Winnipeg Jets.

It’s just a start, but the management and ownership of the team must be pleased with the results thus far.

Top Young Scorers Are Delivering

The Mammoth is led by a group of young players who comprise 63 percent of the scoring totals. Through 11 games as of this writing, the club has Nick Schmaltz leading the group with a whopping seven goals and 10 assists. Following him is the red-hot Logan Cooley, who has eight goals and four helpers. Then, Dylan Guenther has five tallies and seven assists. Captain Clayton Keller is next with four goals and eight assists. Newly acquired JJ Peterka rounds it out with four goals and six assists.

Needless to say, these five offensive weapons have propelled the Mammoth to its swift start. The management of the team has recognized the excellent potential of Cooley, who has six goals and three assists in his last five games, including a natural hat-trick. Speculation of a new contract extension has come home to roost.

That performance earned him a new eight-year $80 million contract to stay in Utah. Cooley has speed and puck-handling skills, which enhance his statistics.

Speaking of contracts, it must be noted that Schmaltz is playing in the last year of his seven-year $40.95 million contract. He will be a free agent if the team fails to re-sign him. His performance so far certainly must be recognized. According to hockey insider David Pagnotta, Schmaltz provided the Mammoth with a list of potential trade destinations over the summer. The team interested in Schmaltz’s services was apparently the Carolina Hurricanes. That ceased when the Canes signed Nikolaj Ehlers to a lucrative six-year $51 million deal.

Success While Missing Two Key Players

The Utah Mammoth have been playing most of the season without two significant players injured. Sean Durzi participated in just two games before going down with an upper-body injury. He was placed on injured reserve on October 17th and will be out about four weeks. The other key injury is to Alex Kerfoot. He has yet to play a game this season and underwent core muscle surgery on October 24th, and will be out eight to 10 weeks. Kerfoot is a prime penalty-killing forward and will be missed.

So far, missing these two players has not hurt the team’s early-season success. Other players have stepped up. Dmitriy Simashev, a sixth overall selection by the club in 2023, has filled in admirably and has lined up with veterans Mikhail Sergachev and Ian Cole. He has also filled in on the penalty kill. Obviously, playing alongside two NHL vets like Sergachev and Cole has helped Simashev’s development and adjustment to North American hockey.

The Schedule Has Not Been Kind

The Utah Mammoth must face the diversity of playing a large portion of their early schedule on the road. Over the first 30 games this season, 19 will be away from the friendly and newly renovated Delta Center in Salt Lake City. They have no control over that, and it is baffling at times when the NHL schedule is released. They must grind it out with one three-game road trip, two four-game stints away from home, and a grueling six-game span packing their bags on the road over the first 30 games.

They will enjoy more home games in the second half of the campaign, so playing well on the road will be imperative. This team is indeed ready to become a playoff team, and it shows. Their young players, mixed with seasoned veterans, have blended well.

2025-26 Season Prediction

For as much as it’s worth, this writer sees the Utah Mammoth tallying 93 points on the season, with a playoff berth completely a possibility. Much depends on injuries and any transactions the team may make. They do have $5.24 million in cap space to use to improve the team. If the start of this season is any indication, the Utah Mammoth have a good shot at participating in the postseason.