Logan Cooley #92 of Utah Hockey Club skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on October 10, 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Following an electric inaugural season, expectations are quickly rising for the Utah Mammoth heading into year two.
While the first 82 games for the NHL’s newest franchise were memorable, it’s time for the state of Utah to experience the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
So, what will it require to play in Lord Stanley’s tournament as opposed to just playing meaningful games down the stretch?
Collectively, a team effort, but there are several individual players who will need to have big seasons if the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be hosted at Delta Center next spring.
2024-25 Stats: 70 GP, 27 G, 33 A, 17:00 TOI/G
The Mammoth will need lots of goals if they’re going to make the playoffs in 2026 which means Dylan Guenther will need to find the back of the net even more than he did a season ago.
With easily the filthiest release on the team and one of the nastiest in the entire league, another career-high in goals from No. 11 would likely put Utah in a spot to make the postseason.
Not only does that mean breaking the 30-goal mark but potentially knocking on the door of 40.
So, if he can remain healthy and experience similar growth that he saw from year one to year three, that would put Guenther at 38 goals and approaching 80 points.
If he can accomplish those kinds of numbers, the Mammoth have a VERY good chance to make the playoffs next spring.
2024-25 Stats: 81 GP, 12 G, 6 A, 13:44 TOI/G
2025-26 needs to be a bounce back season for Lawson Crouse and I’m certain he’s well aware of that.
During his nine years in the NHL, last season was one of his worst in terms of offensive production as he experienced his lowest numbers since 2020 with only 12 goals and six assists.
That needs to change.
In his last two seasons in Arizona, Crouse averaged 43.5 points per year in 17 minutes of ice time.
That’s where he needs to consistently be for the Mammoth.
Leading the charge on the third line, producing roughly 40 plus points and finding ways to help his team win as their associate captain.
2024-25 Stats: 77 GP, 15 G, 38 A, 25:07 TOI/G
After being traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning last summer, Mikhail Sergachev’s first season in Utah was wildly successful.
In addition to leading the team in minutes on ice, Sergachev quickly blossomed into the Mammoth’s No. 1 defenseman and was rewarded with an A on his sweater.
Notably, Sergachev also registered a career-high 15 goals for Utah last season as he led the blue line offensively.
While No. 98 was the anchor of the Mammoth’s defense in year one, Utah will need even more from him in year two.
Anticipating that the team doesn’t experience as many defensive injuries and given their refreshed depth, Sergachev’s minutes should go down a bit which means more energy and effort each shift.
With a more talented D-core, a reliable goalie tandem and likely less responsibility from a minute’s standpoint, Sergachev will need to increase his production on both ends of the ice.
In year one with Utah, Sergachev proved he could be a number one D-man.
But can he blossom into a top half No. 1 defenseman in the NHL while helping lead his team into the postseason?
That remains to be seen.
2024-25 Stats: 58 GP, 55 GS, 26 W, .904 SV%, 2.58 GAA
Easily the most pleasant surprise of the inaugural season, Karel Vejmelka not only won over the hearts of Mammoth fans, but he quickly earned the starting position between the pipes and then signed a five-year extension to cap off a career-year.
What will he need in year two?
Consistency.
It’s one thing to post more than a 900 save percentage and roughly 2.5 goals against per game in a single season, but can he do it again?
Can Vejmelka prove he’s a top half netminder across the board in the league while being an anchor in the blue paint for the Mammoth?
If so, Utah will make the playoffs.
2024-25 Stats: 75 GP, 25 G, 40 A, 17:52 TOI/G
As a budding superstar who has been working tirelessly this summer to take his game to the next level, it feels as though a trip to the playoffs for the Mammoth heavily depends on what kind of season Logan Cooley will produce.
With 65 points in 2024-25, Cooley finished with the second most points of any NHL skater 20 years or younger (second only to Connor Bedard, 67).
Clearly, one of the elite young players in the league.
So, what will 2025-26 look like?
Will he witness another 20 plus point increase like he did from year one to year two?
That would result in an 85-to-90-point season and require a little more consistency by reproducing stretches like last December and January where he registered 25 points in 26 games.
He has the talent, awareness, speed, vision and skill to make that happen.
But has his game matured enough over the last few months to be a point-per-game player?
We’ll find out soon enough.
Logan Cooley can fly with the puck on his stick.
Too smooth 😮💨
(Via powerforwardhockey on IG) pic.twitter.com/kl7cCmwG6q
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) August 22, 2025
If so, it’s hard to see Utah missing the postseason in year two, especially if each of these players can rise to the occasion.
