Grading The Utah Mammoth Offseason Moves: Trades & Free Agency

Jul 14, 2025 , 2:19 PM

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COLE BAGLEY


Utah Mammoth Insider

SALT LAKE CITY – While the inaugural season for the Utah Mammoth was wildly successful in a plethora of different ways, the team now has its sights set on stepping out of the rebuild and making the playoffs in year two. As each player looks to elevate their game over the summer, the front office has also been busy in the offseason as they’ve focused on improving the roster via trades and free agency.

The following is a list of initial letter grades for each of the Utah Mammoth’s summer acquisitions:

Utah Mammoth Offseason Trades & Free Agency

Utah Mammoth trade Josh Doan & Michael Kesselring for JJ Peterka

General Manager Bill Armstrong kicked off the summer with a bang as he made the club’s intentions clear with the biggest trade of the offseason.

Related: Utah Mammoth Trade Josh Doan & Michael Kesselring For Buffalo’s JJ Peterka

In desperate need of another young scorer, Armstrong packaged Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring for Buffalo’s 23-year-old right wing, JJ Peterka.

To preface, this was a tough trade for some Mammoth fans to process and understandably so.

Losing two fan favorites to the opposite side of the country was their first real experience of NHL heartbreak.

But let’s be clear, this trade was a home run for several different reasons.

First of all, rather than committing a large sum of cash to a forward in their late 20’s during free agency, Utah secured a talented young winger who better fits their timeline.

They also were able to acquire him for relatively cheap as they swapped a bottom six forward and third line defenseman for a rising young star who registered 68 points last season.

Additionally, to acquire Peterka without having to sacrifice any picks or prospects was a huge bonus, especially when many speculated that would be part of Buffalo’s asking price.

So, while there was a little bit of pain associated with this trade, this was a masterful acquisition that fulfilled a prominent need, bolstered their young core for years to come and should help Utah secure a playoff spot next spring.

“J.J. is a highly skilled, creative, young forward with extremely high upside,” said Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Mammoth. “He will help solidify our scoring and add to what is already a great young core of forwards on the roster. Signing J.J. to a long-term extension is another positive step towards building a sustainable contender here in Utah and today is an exciting day for our entire organization.”

Initial Grade: A+

Utah Mammoth trade Matias Maccelli for conditional third round pick

There’s not much to expound upon here.

After a disappointing season in Utah, Matias Maccelli wanted to move on and there was no salvaging that situation.

Related: Utah Mammoth Trades Matias Maccelli To Toronto For Third-Round Pick

Unfortunately for the Mammoth, Maccelli’s value plummeted, and they were unable to get an active NHL skater in return.

However, there were plenty of positives as they moved on from a bad situation, cleared cap space, opened a roster spot and received a conditional 2027 third round selection that could evolve into a second as long as Maccelli performs for the Leafs.

Even though it was tough to give up what seemed like a promising part of their future, Utah did what needed to be done and are better off for it.

Initial Grade: B

Utah Mammoth Re-sign Kailer Yamamoto and Nick DeSimone

Inexpensive depth signings that will likely be useful if Utah experiences any injuries throughout next season.

It also helps that both skaters are familiar with the system and culture.

Initial Grade: A

Utah Mammoth add depth with Brandon Tanev, Nate Schmidt and Scott Perunovich

After acquiring Peterka to fulfill their scoring needs up top, Utah found depth and grit in free agency by adding Brandon Tanev, Nate Schmidt and Scott Perunovich.

While Perunovich is likely just another inexpensive depth signing in case of injury, Tanev and Schmidt will likely play a sizable role for Utah next season.

With Tanev, the 33-year-old offers grit, physicality, experience, unwavering effort and of course, legendary headshots.

As for Schmidt, the reigning Stanley Cup Champion is a reliable blue line addition with a well-balanced game and the ability to contribute offensively.

Initial Grade: A

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Utah Mammoth find goaltender depth by signing Vítek Vaněček

As Connor Ingram’s status for the 2025-26 season remains unknown to this point, Utah looked to the free agent market for a backup goaltender and eventually settled on 29-year-old Vítek Vaněček.

Now, there’s a few things to consider with this addition.

First off, the contract is just a one-year deal which doesn’t tie the club down and will allow them to reanalyze their backup needs next summer when Ingram also becomes a free agent and a better class of goaltenders becomes available.

That’s a notable positive.

However, until then, Utah will need to somewhat resurrect Vaněček’s game if he’s going to be a reliable backup to Karel Vejmelka.

Over the last two years, Vaněček has hovered around 89 percent and even dropped to .882 in 18 games with San Jose last season before ending up in Florida.

That’s simply not good enough but the good news is he’s capable of more.

From 2020-2023, Vaněček averaged a .909 save percentage.

Not that he needs to be at those numbers, but if he could reach a high 89 or even hover right around 90, that would likely elevate Utah to the playoffs.

If not, Utah might find itself in some dogfights to salvage points when Vejmelka needs a rest.

Initial Grade: C

Utah Mammoth extend Jack McBain five years

Let me start by saying that it was important for the Mammoth to bring back Jack McBain.

He’s a big, intimidating forward who played an important role for Utah on their third line and produced a career season in 2024-25.

They simply needed him back on the roster and were able to get a deal in place that locked him up for the foreseeable future.

However, with that being said, the term and price tag were a little bit of a surprise.

Taking a look at some of similar deals this offseason, there’s some notable differences in terms of production.

For instance, 25-year-old center Ryan Mcleod signed a four-year, $20M extension with the Buffalo Sabres following a 53-point season.

Additionally, 29-year-old Ryan Donato inked a four-year, $16M extension with the Chicago Blackhawks after recording 62 points in 2024-25.

As for McBain, he had just 27 points for Utah last year and 26 the previous season in Arizona.

Now, each of these players fulfills a different role for their respective teams and Utah obviously valued McBain’s skillset with a strong belief that he’s worth it as the cap continues to increase.

“The commitment that both sides are making to each other in this extension tells you everything you need to know about the value and importance that has been placed on winning together,” said Chris Armstrong, president of hockey operations for Utah Mammoth. “Jack’s versatility as a player, his care for his teammates, and his demonstrated willingness to do whatever it takes to win, are all critical elements to our future team success.”

But with a five-year, $21.25M extension, McBain needs to continue improving his production on the scoresheet.

Even with his size and physicality, that type of contract is fairly steep for a sub-30-point player.

If he can begin working his way into the high 30’s, low 40’s and beyond, that contract looks great.

If not, it might be an overpay.

Initial Grade: B

Utah Mammoth improve roster with successful summer of new additions

Overall, it’s been a successful offseason for the Utah Mammoth.

In addition to winning the draft lottery and selecting Caleb Desnoyers with the fourth overall pick, Utah then attended to their needs in free agency by sticking to their timeline, refusing to overpay and giving themselves flexibility moving forward.

Based on their new additions, Utah should be able to achieve their goal of making the playoffs next spring as the front office provided the necessary tools, upgraded the roster and complimented the talent they already possessed.

Overall Initial Grade: A-

Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.

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