The Utah Mammoth finished with the 2025-26 season with an impressive 43-33-6 record. Unfortunately for Utah, the Vegas Golden Knights proved too much in the playoffs, as the Mammoth lost the series 4-2. However, for such a young and exciting team, that is a little taste of what the Mammoth can do. And perhaps a trade can make the Mammoth a juggernaut for seasons to come.
Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets
Perhaps the top weakness for the Mammoth in 2025-26 was their goaltending. Karel Vejmelka had the 2nd-best record this season with a nice 38-20-3 record. However, his save percentage of .897% was just 28th best, and he allowed 2.75 goals per game, which was just 27th best in the NHL.
The backup, Vitek Vanecek, was 5-13-3 with a weak .883% save percentage, highlighting the Mammoth's weak goalie position.
Although Connor Hellebuyck had a horrible season with the Winnipeg Jets (at least compared to what he has done), posting a 23-23-11 record after going 47-12-3 in his MVP 2024-25 season and an abysmal .895 SV% while allowing 2.86 GAA. However, even then, Hellebuyck almost single-handedly defeated Team Canada in the Olympic Gold Medal game while starting for the USA, showing his capabilities are still there. After the Jets managed just 82 points this season, trading away their veteran star goalie would make sense, and the Mammoth could use a goalie.
Jake Debrusk, LW, Vancouver Canucks
Honestly, the Mammoth probably don't need the left-winger Jake DeBrusk with the high prospect Danil But and Lawson Crouse, who scored four goals this season. However, the Vancouver Canucks will definitely have to trade DeBrusk, who just doesn't fit their rebuild. DeBrusk really isn't going to get 30-40 goals.
However, he has consistently scored 20-28 goals throughout his career. The Canucks can't ask for too much either, as DeBrusk only managed 42 points in the 25-26 season, not to mention DeBrusk is turning 30 as well next season. If the Utah Mammoth wants to reinforce their left-winger position, DeBrusk might be a low-risk, high-reward kind of trade. The Canucks were 25-49-8 last season- they almost certainly are heading into a full rebuild.
Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews is the trade target that Utah should lock onto. The Maple Leafs somehow gained the 1st pick overall in the draft lottery, making a potential move all the more likely. Matthews is most certainly a very expensive trade target, but the Mammoth is one team that could give the Leafs what they want if such a big trade occurred.
It is not certain that Toronto will seek to rebuild; however, after another disappointing season, pushing the reset button makes sense. Matthews has had two 60-goal seasons, including a historical 69-goal season in the 23-24 season. Even with some good centers like Logan Cooley and Nick Schmaltz, every team would love to have the goal scorer, Matthews. And of course, someone like Cooley could be a name that Toronto would be interested in if such a player of such caliber were traded.
The Mammoth have goal-scorers, especially guys like Dylan Guenther. However, Matthews is a franchise-altering kind of player. It would make sense for the Maple Leafs to build around Matthews as well. However, it might make even more sense to benefit from a trade of Matthews.
If the Mammoth decides to run it back with the team they had this season, then that would make a lot of sense. Especially since Utah has a young team that can get even better in the future. However, a trade, just like the multiple trades last season, can make the team even better.
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