In the 28th of a 32 part series leading up to the start of the 2025-26 National Hockey League regular season, we will look at the key off-season transactions made by all NHL organizations with an overall grade. Here are the Utah Mammoth.
The Mammoth (which have a new name after being known as the Utah Hockey Club last year) added four players in the offseason. They are wingers JJ Peterka of Munich, Germany, and Brandon Tanev of Toronto, Ontario, defenseman Nate Schmidt of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and goaltender Vitek Vanecek of Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic. Let’s take a look at all four players.
JJ Peterka
Peterka was traded from the Buffalo Sabres to the Mammoth on June 25 for Americans Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring. After the trade, Peterka signed a five-year contract extension worth $38.5 million. In Utah, Peterka is expected to be on Utah’s number one line with Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley this season.
The Mammoth are Peterka’s second NHL team. He spent the last four seasons in Buffalo.
Peterka had 27 goals and 41 assists for 68 points with the Sabres last season in 77 games. He was a -1 with 34 penalty minutes, 18 power-play points, three game-winning goals. 173 shots on goal, two faceoff wins, 16 blocked shots, 30 hits, 22 takeaways, and 87 giveaways.
Brandon Tanev
Tanev signed a three-year contract worth $7.5 million on Canada Day. He is projected to be on Utah’s fourth line alongside Kailer Yamamoto and Kevin Stenlund. The Mammoth are Tanev’s fourth NHL team after five seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, four seasons with the Seattle Kraken and two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Last season in Seattle and Winnipeg, Tanev had 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 79 games. He was a -12 with 16 penalty minutes, 99 shots on goal, seven faceoff wins, 105 blocked shots, 168 hits, 23 takeaways, and 52 giveaways.
Nate Schmidt
Schmidt signed a three-year contract worth $10.5 million on July 2. He is projected to be on Utah’s third defensive pairing with Olli Maatta. The Mammoth are Schmidt’s sixth NHL team after four seasons with the Washington Capitals, three seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, one season with the Vancouver Canucks, three seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, and one season with the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Last season in Florida. Schmidt had five goals and 14 assists for 19 points in 80 games. He was a +4 with 30 penalty minutes, four power-play points, 70 shots on goal 71 blocked shots, 82 hits, 28 takeaways, and 88 giveaways.
Vitek Vanecek
Vanecek signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million on Canada Day. He is set to be the backup goaltender in Utah behind Karel Vejmelka. The Mammoth are Vanecek’s fifth NHL team after two seasons each with the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils and sharing last season with the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers.
Last season in San Jose and Florida, Vanecek had a record of 5-14-4 with a goals against average of 3.62, save percentage of .884 and one shutout. The shutout came in a 4-0 Panthers win over the Sabres on March 8. Vanecek made 21 saves in Vanecek’s first game with Florida.
Projected Offseason Grade
I am giving the Mammoth a C grade. Schmidt brings a winning culture to Utah, and Tanev is an elite defensive player who brings physicality. Vanecek meanwhile struggled last season, and Peterka has been involved in a losing culture in Buffalo.
