Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) celebrates after scoring a goal during an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 22, 2025 (Tess Crowley, Deseret News).
(Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Following a career-season in terms of assists and points for the Utah Mammoth, team captain and forward Clayton Keller was yet again named to NHL Network’s list of “Top 20 Wings Right Now.”
When you pick up your first 90-point season, you move up the Top 20 Wings Right Now list!
Clayton Keller is 1⃣5⃣ on our list! @utahmammoth | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/K4MNNHFoMs
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 6, 2025
Despite maneuvering a truly unique NHL season that included a swift relocation and an inaugural campaign in a brand-new city, 2024-25 was a statement campaign for Utah’s first-ever captain.
Appearing in 81 games for the Mammoth, Keller delivered career-highs in both assists (60) and total points (90) as he led the team offensively during his best season in the National Hockey League.
Night in and night out, Keller was Utah’s most impactful player in the offensive zone.
With team-highs in goals, assists, and points, Keller was the heart of the offense as he commanded the top line, directed traffic, consistently created dangerous opportunities and scored clutch goals throughout the year for Utah.
For his efforts, Keller climbed two spots from last season to No. 15 among the NHL Network’s “Top 20 Wings Right Now.”
A complete list of the top 20 NHL wings can be found below.
Introducing the Top 20 Wings Right Now! @NHL | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/yT2m7xI5ZM
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 6, 2025
Now older, wiser and more experienced, 2026 is all about making the playoffs for the Utah Mammoth.
No more excuses or deferring to the youthful nature of the team.
It’s time to make the playoffs and Keller won’t settle for anything less.
Full Story: Clayton Keller Says It’s Playoffs Or Bust Following Busy Summer For Utah Mammoth
Clayton Keller on Utah’s belief to make the playoffs in 2026:
“There’s a ton of belief.”
“It’s that or it’s a failure for us this year…now it’s just a matter of not talking about it, going out there, and actually doing it. That’s what we’re all looking forward to the most.” pic.twitter.com/udbGbyQxpw
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) August 3, 2025
“There’s a ton of belief,” Keller said confidently.
“It’s that or it’s a failure for us this year…now it’s just a matter of not talking about it, going out there, and actually doing it. That’s what we’re all looking forward to the most.”
Now, is it the worst thing in the world if Utah doesn’t make it?
No.
But there needs to be pressure.
It’s time to start setting that expectation.
Keller and Mikhail Sergachev are stepping into their prime, Karel Vejmelka is playing his best hockey, Cooley and Guenther are quickly emerging and there’s a plethora of veteran depth in players like Olli Maatta, Ian Cole, Nate Schmidt and Brandon Tanev.
Like the Captain said, 2026 will be seen as a failure if Utah doesn’t make the playoffs and that’s the right mindset to have as Salt Lake City experiences their second season of the NHL.
