SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MAY 7: A sticker on a puck shows the new Utah Mammoth logo shown during an introductory press conference at Delta Center on May 7, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tyler Tate/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tyler Tate/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – As the 2025-26 NHL season swiftly approaches, the Utah Mammoth announced a preseason schedule update for their matchups with the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks.
The start time for Utah’s home preseason game against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, Oct. 4 has also been changed to 6 P.M. MT. https://t.co/ub3ZZqBIWM
— Utah Mammoth PR (@UtahMammoth_PR) August 12, 2025
Kicking off their preseason schedule against the Colorado Avalanche, the teams will participate in split-squad, two-game matchup on Sunday, September 21.
The first game will begin at 2:30 P.M. MT at Magness Arena (home to the University of Denver hockey team).
The second game will then take place later that evening at Ball Arena with a 6:30 P.M. MT puck drop.
Schedule update ‼️
The times for our split-squad matchups against the Avalanche have been set.
Read More: https://t.co/ADAZYsp2EF pic.twitter.com/b8SXmCrGjG
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) August 12, 2025
Notably, the Mammoth also adjusted the start time for their final preseason game against the San Jose Sharks on October 4 from 7 P.M. MT to 6 P.M. MT.
The game will be held at the newly renovated Delta Center.
The Delta Center continues to transform as the floor has been raised 2 feet.
You can also see how the lower bowl is shaping up to better accommodate hockey and improve sight lines.pic.twitter.com/frJy8doPTH
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) August 11, 2025
A complete Utah Mammoth preseason schedule can be found below:
Sunday, September 21 vs. Colorado Avalanche 2:30 P.M.
Sunday, September 21 @ Colorado Avalanche 6:30 P.M.
Monday, September 22 @ Anaheim Ducks 8:00 P.M.
Thursday, September 25 @ Vegas Golden Knights 8:00 P.M.
Tuesday, September 30 vs. Los Angeles Kings 7:00 P.M.
Thursday, October 2 vs. Los Angeles Kings 7:00 P.M.
Saturday, October 4 vs. San Jose Sharks 6:00 P.M.
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 Clayton Keller won’t settle for anything less.
Full story: Clayton Keller Says It’s Playoffs Or Bust Following Busy Summer For Utah Mammoth
“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.
