3 burning questions Utah Mammoth should answer in 2026 offseason

The Utah Mammoth (43-33-6) surprised many with the season they had. They were one of the most underrated teams entering the season, with Nick Schmaltz, Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, Logan Cooley, and Mikhail Sergachev already slotted as premier assets. However, with Schmaltz’s deal expiring, the strength of the Central Division, and the young talent, it felt like the Mammoth were a season or two away from playoff contention.

Instead, the Mammoth built on its current core. They traded for Buffalo Sabres winger J.J. Peterka and made an all-in move to acquire Calgary Flames defenseman Mackenzie Weegar. They didn’t even have to trade a first-rounder to get either of them. The team made the Stanley Cup Playoffs, facing a very beatable opponent in the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round.

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Unfortunately, they fell in six games, even after taking a 2-1 series lead. Two overtime losses followed, and the Mammoth were hung out to dry. Bill Armstrong will have to evaluate whether the team is ready for true Stanley Cup contention.

Is it time for the young guns?

The Mammoth are in a fortunate position with their prospect pool. If they wanted to win now, they have a couple of prospects that are NHL-ready.

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Tij Iginla, son of NHL Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, had a breakout season in his second year since the Mammoth took him No. 6 overall in 2024. Iginla had 41 goals and 90 points in 48 games with the WHL’s Kelowa Rockets. He also had a staggering plus-47 plus/minus, showing great two-way abilities. He seems primed to take over a center spot for the Mammoth soon.

So is Caleb Desnoyers. He was drafted No. 4 overall in 2025, and this season, he scored 22 goals and earned 78 points through 45 games. He would slot in well as a center, although he needs to fill out a tad (he weighs 173 pounds).

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The Mammoth will have to decide whether to rush them up to the NHL. I bet they’ll probably get at least some games in the NHL, and if one of them sticks, that will make this question harder to answer.

Which pending UFAs do they sign?

The Mammoth have an underrated group of contributors entering unrestricted free agency. These will be the key decisions Bill Armstrong will have to make to keep the momentum going, and Utah has $14.2 million in cap space to work with.

First, there’s Kailer Yamamoto. He’s been with the team for two seasons, but in the latter part of the 2025-26 season, he got into a groove. The left-winger slotted in as a part of the top six, and from April to the postseason, he had nine points through 13 games. The cost shouldn’t be too expensive to re-sign him (only around $1.8 million according to AFP Analytics), but does Utah bank on this form of Yamamoto returning next season?

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Kevin Stenlund isn’t a stat-sheet stuffer, but he’s a key contributor on the penalty kill and is always great in the faceoff circle. He had a 54.2% faceoff percentage, and he led the league in shorthanded ice time. Again, it won’t be too expensive, valued at just around $1.4 million (via AFP Analytics).

Then there’s Alex Kerfoot. He had an injury-riddled 2025-26 season, putting up just 13 points in 34 games. When healthy, he is a good depth scoring option, but he’s projected to earn over $3.3 million per season. He can kick out to the wing, but does Utah value him that highly, especially with the logjam at center? All of these players are important cogs in the machine, and Armstrong will have to pick and choose on these.

What do the Coyotes do with Barrett Hayton?

Then there’s the question of Barrett Hayton. Hayton, similar to Kerfoot, had an injury-riddled season. In fact, he’s switched back and forth between playing every game and mising over 20 games in each season since 2021-22.

With his arbitration eligibility coming up, he will be under team control, but he’ll earn a lot more this upcoming offseason. AFP Analytics has him getting over $5.3 million a season on his next contract.

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Does Utah consider him tradeable, especially with the options at center in the coming years? Hayton is already a good depth center, but on another team, he could be more. He’s already great defensively, and he has a relentless motor and forechecking attitude.

Maybe Utah uses him to acquire more depth on the wings. Still, Hayton’s sweepstakes would be fascinating, especially in a season with a lackluster free agency crop.

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