
Utah Mammoth News



O'Brien is apparently "coming along but still far out," according to beat reporter Brogan Houston and is unsure if he will be ready for Utah's season opener on October 9th in Colorado due to a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old grinder nicknamed "Spicy Tuna" appeared in 28 games for Utah in 2024-25, picking up two assists and 50 PIMs alongside 34 SOG.

Kerfoot's status for opening night seems murky after it was announced Monday that the forward was week-to-week with a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old has only missed one game in the last five seasons due to injury, and is coming off a disappointing 11-goal, 28-point campaign in 2024-25.

Hebig will return for his sixth season in Tucson (AHL) after Utah signed the veteran forward to a two-year, two-way contract extension on Wednesday. The 28-year-old undrafted forward has never made the jump to the NHL but had his most productive AHL season by a mile in 2024-25, picking up 26 goals and 47 points in 67 games played with Tucson.

Despite rumours that his time with the Mammoth was over, Michael Carcone will return for a fifth season in the Utah organization after signing a one-year, $775,000 contract extension on Tuesday. The 29-year-old left-winger broke out in 2023-24 with 21 goals in 74 games, but unfortunately, regressed into a bottom-six role in 2024-25 with only seven goals and 19 points in 53 games.

Utha and Jack McBain have come to an agreement through arbitration after the 25-year-old was signed to a five-year extension worth $4.25 million AAV ($21.25 million total). The three-year pro is fresh off a season where he posted career highs in almost all categories, including goals (13), points (27) and PIMs (78).

Vanecek joined the Florida Panthers and the trade deadline last season and served as the backup to Sergei Bobrovsky during the run to a Stanley Cup Championship. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has battled consistency over the previous few seasons and will hope to emerge as a reliable option for the Utah Mammoth in 2025-25.

After winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last season, Schmidt has secured a three-year deal worth $3.5 million AAV with the Utah Mammoth. The 33-year-old Schmidt averaged 16:32 time-on-ice and scored 19 points (5G / 14A) in 80 games last season.

Entering his age-34 season, Tanev will look to prove he is still an intimidating force as he joins the Utah Mammoth on a three-year deal worth $2.5 million AAV. Tanev finished the 2024-25 season splitting time between the Seattle Kraken and Winnipeg Jets, recording 22 points (10G / 12A), 105 blocks, and 168 hits in 79 games.

Perunovich will join his third organization in two seasons after signing a one-year, two-way minimum deal with Utah on Tuesday. The 26-year-old joined the Islanders midseason in 2024-25 after three seasons with St. Louis and ended his campaign with two goals and nine points in 35 total games played between the two organizations. He will provide depth for Utah's defence this season and is expected to compete for one of the final roster spots in training camp for the upcoming season.

After a successful first stint in Utah, Kailer Yamamoto will remain a member of the Mammoth after signing a one-year, two-way contract on Tuesday worth $775,000. The 26-year-old former 1st-round pick only appeared in 12 games with Utah in 2024-25, but had two goals, three points and 13 SOG. He is expected to battle for one of Utah's final roster spots for the upcoming season.

Minutes after being acquired by Utah, JJ Peterka was announced to a 5-year extension worth $7.7M AAV ($38.5M total). The 23-year-old right-winger has made consistent 18-point jumps in each of his first three NHL seasons, finishing 2024-25 with 27 goals, 68 points and 173 SOG in 77 GP after 50 points in 82 games the year before. He is expected to take a top-six role in Utah in the upcoming season.

With rumours circulating all week that Buffalo was looking to move a few key players, Utah swooped in late Thursday by acquiring the rights to JJ Peterka for forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. Minutes after the trade, Utah announced they had signed Peterka to a 5-year extension worth $7.7M AAV ($38.5M total). The 23-year-old right-winger has made consistent 18-point jumps in each of his first three NHL seasons, finishing 2024-25 with 27 goals, 68 points and 173 SOG in 77 GP after 50 points in 82 games the year before.

After picking up 16 goals and 33 points with Tucson (AHL) in 2024-25, Ben McCartney has earned himself a two-year, two-way contract extension with Utah on Wednesday. The 23-year-old winger was Utah's 2020 7th overall pick (204th overall) and has spent the last four seasons in the AHL.

Smith is Utah's 2024 4th-round pick (103rd overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract upon the completion of Moncton's Memorial Cup run. The 18-year-old center spent 2024-25 with Moncton (QMJHL) and had 20 goals, 39 points and 62 PIMs in 52 games played.

Utah acquired DeSimone via waivers and he made an impact with the club, securing a one-year contract extension. The 30-year-old defenseman had six points (1G / 5A) in 20 games with Utah this season.

But was Utah's 2023 1st-round pick (12th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Mammoth on Wednesday. The 20-year-old left-winger is expected to head over to North America for the 2025-26 season after putting up nine goals and 28 points with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) in 2024-25.

Simashev was Utah's 2023 1st-round pick (6th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Mammoth on Wednesday. The 20-year-old Russian defenseman is expected to head to North America for the 2025-26 season after putting up a goal, six points and a +9 plus/minus in 56 games played with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) in 2024-25.
