The Utah Mammoth are faced with a tall task in the 2026-27 season - competing with some other unbelievable teams.
If Utah wants to compete in the Central Division and in the Western Conference, then they need some breakout stars. Here are some candidates who could help Utah achieve greatness:
LW, Daniil But
The 21-year-old Daniil But was selected 12th overall in the 2023 NHL draft. But reached the NHL in the 2025-26 season, scoring three goals and adding four assists in 29 games.
Utah would probably love to see But have a large impact. He is 6'5", 203, so he offers a large presence in the offensive zone and gives Utah a winger who can be effective as a defender as well.
The Russian can be a solid winger who adds significant depth to Utah. But scored 19 goals and added 20 assists in 41 games in the AHL last season before arriving in Utah.
But he doesn't seem to have the offensive potential of some other prospects... But his potential impact in 2026-27 can't be understated. Utah might already have a strong offense and solid depth. But you can never have too much depth or too many good offensive players.
F, Tij Iginla
There has been no shortage of hype around potential superstar Tij Iginla, who was selected sixth overall in the 2024 NHL draft.
Iginla looks like he might head to the NHL to begin the season, which could give him an opportunity to make an immediate impact. Iginla, son of Hall of Famer and Calgary Flames legend Jerome Iginla, scored 41 goals and added 49 assists in just 48 games in the WHL last season.
Iginla can be an offensive presence immediately, despite being only 20 years old. Iginla also scored four goals and added four assists in seven games with the U20 World Junior Championship Team Canada.
As it stands now, Iginla may be a top-five prospect in the NHL. This alone makes Iginla an interesting candidate to break out and become a cornerstone for Utah. Utah doesn't need Iginla to get a ton of ice time and carry the team. But sometimes in sports, you never know how a team uses such a highly touted prospect.
Perhaps Utah wants to use Iginla carefully and not give him too much ice time... But the Mammoth may also want to see Iginla be a big part of their offense. Not much is known about how Utah plans to use Iginla, but it is clear that Iginla is the kind of player who can win the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Iginla should be fun to watch for Mammoth fans in 2026-27.
G, Sebastian Cossa
Right now, Sebastian Cossa is probably the No. 2 goalie. Karel Vejmelka is easily the starter, but Utah's lack of a solid backup led to a trade for Cossa.
The Detroit Red Wings selected the 6'6" goalie 15th overall in the 2023 NHL draft. Despite being that high a pick as a goalie, the Red Wings didn't rush him, nor did they need to. Cossa appeared in only one NHL game, which came in the 2024-25 season, where he got a win in a 6-5 SO against the Buffalo Sabres (12 saves on 14 shots on goal).
The Red Wings finally decided to trade Cossa to Utah after much speculation for one first-round draft pick (23rd in the 2026 draft). Cossa has been nothing short of great in the AHL, with Cossa recording a 26-8-4 record with a .915 SV% and five shutouts.
It might be unrealistic to think that Cossa can arrive in the NHL and become a star quickly. However, Cossa, 23, wasn't rushed by any means and has the ability to be the most important young player on this team.
Utah didn't trade for Cossa to have him sit in the AHL anymore. Will there be growing pains? Perhaps. But there is also a chance, with such a ceiling, that Cossa captures the attention of the NHL sooner rather than later.
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