SALT LAKE CITY – After selecting both players in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Utah Mammoth have officially signed 20-year-olds Dmitri Simashev and Daniil But to three-year, two-way entry level contracts.
BREAKING: The Utah Mammoth have signed Dmitriy Simashev to a three year, entry level contract.#TusksUp
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) May 28, 2025
I’m hearing that the Utah Mammoth will also be signing Daniil But to an entry level contract today as well.#TusksUp
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) May 28, 2025
Following their recent Gagarin Cup Championship with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the KHL, the highly talented defenseman and forward finally put pen to paper as they signed entry level contracts with the Mammoth.
Great accomplishment.
We should see both these guys very soon.#TusksUp https://t.co/8f9Gy3D6JV
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) May 21, 2025
“We are thrilled to sign Dmitri to an NHL contract,” said Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Mammoth. “Dmitri has established himself as one of the top defenseman prospects in the NHL and we look forward to watching him play for the Mammoth for many years to come.”
“Daniil is a highly skilled forward with a great shot and playmaking skills who is coming off a career season. We are looking forward to seeing him in a Mammoth sweater,” Armstrong added.
Simashev is a 20-year-old defenseman from Kostroma, Russia.
Before being called up to the KHL’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl squad, the talented defenseman spent several seasons in the MHL (Russia’s top junior league) with Loko Yaroslavl.
He then made his professional debut with Lokomotiv during the 2022-23 season.
While Simashev hasn’t been a high-level producer offensively, his size, defensive skillset and impressive skating abilities are what caught the attention of the Arizona Coyotes in 2023 as they selected him with the No. 6 pick.
After being drafted, he then returned to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl where he’s spent the last few seasons.
But is a 20-year-old left wing from Yaroslavl, Russia.
Before being called up to the KHL’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl squad, the teenage forward spent several seasons in the MHL (Russia’s top junior league) with Loko Yaroslavl.
But then made his professional debut with Lokomotiv during the 2022-23 season.
In addition to his incredible ability to finish and put pucks in the net, it was But’s unique 6-foot-7 size that attracted the front office to select him in the first round of the 2023 Draft.
After being drafted, he then returned to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl where he’s spent the last few seasons.
As a towering forward, But is an elite two-way player who boasts a very complete 200-foot-game with a relentless effort on both ends.
But specifically excels at scoring, stripping pucks, making plays and fearlessly attacking the net with or without the puck on his tape.
“The one great thing that you just love about this guy is how hard he works and how hard he plays the game,” General Manager Bill Armstrong said.
“He plays a North American style game.”
There’s a very strong argument that Simashev was the best defensive player taken in the 2023 NHL draft.
With his 6-foot-5 frame and elite skating abilities, it’s easy to understand why the organization snatched him as an early first-round pick.
While his size is notable and certainly makes him a fierce defenseman, it’s his skating, edgework, initial steps and top speed that makes him such an elite prospect.
“The elite quality of him is his skating ability,” General Manager Bill Armstrong told KSL Sports. “His agility is the elite of the elite…so, he is someone that we get truly excited about.”
Playing in the KHL for a top team like Lokomotiv, defense and physicality has been the emphasis for Simashev as he absolutely smothers opposing forwards with his stick, shot blocking and winning most one on one battles.
While the team has steered him away from offensive contributions based on their style of play, he thrives on the penalty kill and providing sound defensive coverage.
For any KHL player making the move to North America, there’s generally a sizable adjustment to the speed of the NHL.
For But, he’ll not only need to adjust to the speed, but there will be some necessary adaptations offensively as he plays against NHL goaltenders and defenseman.
As such a big man with no actual experience playing North American hockey, there will likely be some slight growing pains.
In addition to the speed of the game, Simashev will also need to rediscover his offensive game for Utah.
Throughout his KHL career, the young defenseman was not required to contribute offensively for Lokomotiv as he posted just six points through 56 appearances this past season.
That will need to change quickly.
Does he have offensive instincts and capabilities? Absolutely.
But he’ll need to rediscover those as he now shifts to the NHL.
As a former 2023 draft pick, Simashev has put in the necessary work to prepare him for North American hockey, and he’s expected to see NHL minutes this next season.
As previously mentioned however, if the adjustment is a little more difficult for him, it’s very possible he could see some time in the AHL for a softer transition.
Once Simashev makes the NHL roster, he’ll likely see time on the third defensive pairing with chances to move up as he continues to develop.
Similar to Simashev, But has put in the necessary work to prepare him for the NHL, and he’s expected to see minutes for the Utah Mammoth this next season.
Depending on how quickly he’s able to adjust, it’s very possible he could see some time in the AHL for a softer transition.
If that’s the case, But would likely experience a similar assignment to Josh Doan or Dylan Guenther who both spent time in the AHL before being called up the same season.
Following the conclusion of the Utah Mammoth’s inaugural season, the next notable event will be the NHL Draft on June 27 and 28.
After recently drawing the fourth overall draft pick in the 2025 NHL draft, each of Utah’s upcoming draft selections will be dressed in the new Utah Mammoth home sweater.
Full story: Utah Hockey Club Draws No. 4 Overall Pick In 2025 NHL Draft Lottery
