SALT LAKE CITY – Since the final horn sounded on the inaugural season back in April, it’s been an incredibly busy summer for Clayton Keller and the Utah Mammoth.
From the name announcement in May, to Keller winning gold for Team USA at the World Championships and long list of new faces between the draft and free agency, it’s been anything but slow as the team has improved both on and off the ice.
With all that in mind, what does the team expect in 2026?
According to the Captain, it’s playoffs or bust.
Kicking the summer off with a bang, Captain America Clayton Keller led the Stars and Stripes to a first-place finish at the 2025 IIHF World Championships.
For the first time in nearly a century (92 years to be exact), USA Hockey was the last team standing at the international tournament as they defeated Switzerland 1-0 in OT to secure the gold.
TEAM USA HAS WON THE WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 92 YEARS 🇺🇸🥇
(via @TSN_Sports, @IIHFHockey) pic.twitter.com/eYQRG8n1lE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 25, 2025
After a quick breakout pass from Logan Cooley to Tage Thompson early in OT, the Americans burst into the offensive zone looking to attack.
As Cooley crashed the net, Thompson called game as he fired one from just outside the right faceoff circle and beat tournament MVP Leonardo Genoni to light the golden lamp.
A closeknit group of Americans then swarmed Thompson in celebration as gloves soared through the air and Freebird rang throughout Stockholm.
The moment Team USA became 🇺🇸 WORLD CHAMPIONS 🇺🇸 #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/qHqm3cR8ej
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) May 26, 2025
“I’d been to the tournament a couple times before. We’d lost in the quarters and had a sour taste in our mouths from that,” Keller said.
“This time around, I’m a little bit older, things we’re a little bit different. Super cool to put the USA sweater on and to win. It makes it so much better…it’s a special feeling.”
Playing alongside fellow Mammoth teammate and budding star Logan Cooley, the two not only led the U.S. in scoring, but they learned what it takes to win a difficult and lengthy tournament.
An experience that will help both skaters as they look to give Utah their first playoff experience in 2026.
“It’s a long tournament, it’s tough. Every team is very good, very fast,” Keller said.
“The last three games are the most important ones, and I think each game our team got better, we became closer. I think we were a close team from day one…so I think that’s one of the reasons that we won. We were able to come together as a team very fast.”
🇺🇸🏆🦣 pic.twitter.com/aqGZff0sYq
— Cory Wilkins (@CleanHitsCory) May 26, 2025
Heading into the summer, Utah needed to add size, scoring and depth before taking the ice again in October.
Between signing Daniil But and Dmitri Simashev to their entry level deals, trading for JJ Peterka and acquiring players like Brandon Tanev, Nate Schmidt and VĂtek Vaněček in free agency, the Mammoth addressed each of their needs.
According to Keller, the new additions are a representation of management’s belief in the team and will help them finally emerge from the rebuild.
“They’re making a great statement,” Keller told KSL Sports.
“They [the front office] believe in this group, they believe in us taking the next step, and they’re all great players that are really going to help our team…it’s great to get those guys and I think they’re going to take us to that next step.”
While still one of the youngest teams in the NHL, it’s important to note how much experience has been added to Utah’s roster over the last two seasons.
As players like Dylan Guenther and Cooley continue to emerge as young stars, it’s critical to balance the youth with a strong collection of veterans.
“All the guys are super excited. We’re a year older; we’re a more experienced team,” Keller noted.
“In order to win, you can’t just keep bringing in more young guys every year. Culture and all that takes time. Over these last three, four years our group has really been bought in & gone through those tougher times to be ready to take this next step and get in the playoffs.”
Keller on year 2 in Utah: “All the guys are super excited. We’re a year older, we’re a more experienced team.”
“Over these last three, four years our group has really been bought in & gone through those tougher times to be ready to take this next step & get in the playoffs.” pic.twitter.com/6s2pGX2BfK
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) August 3, 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.
“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.
