Utah has several burning questions to answer in the 2026-27 season. However, one question could determine whether Utah can compete in the Central Division and in the race for the Stanley Cup.
How can the Mammoth's veteran additions affect this team?
Can Utah's veteran addition's be the key to success in 2026-27
The Western Conference has been dominated by the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Many thanks to the veteran and superstar talent on those teams. Few expect Utah to miss the postseason next season, especially since it feels like it will be harder to take a step back than to take a step forward.
But the Mammoth's goal isn't to just reach the postseason again - it's to challenge those juggernauts. In 2025-26, Utah failed to take down the VGK after going up 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs. Utah doesn't want to suffer the same fate again.
The good news is that Utah has plenty of young talent, which is great for potential breakouts and future superstars. However, veterans like Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee will be just as important. The Carolina Hurricanes, reigning Stanley Cup champions, were exactly carried by their superstar duo of Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis.
Instead, guys like Logan Stankoven and veterans Taylor Hall and Jordan Staal pushed the team. The Florida Panthers were pushed the year prior by veteran Brad Marchand.
Both teams had their fair share of superstars, but they wouldn't have won without the help of older guys. Utah knows this, which is why they added several key veterans who can help the young guys grow and get better, but also because, a lot of times, you will see veterans thrive in the postseason.
Sometimes, players whose numbers don't jump off the page in the regular season will wow people in the postseason. This is especially true with veterans who know what they are doing. If the Mammoth can get the push they are hoping to get from their key additions, then they are far more dangerous than some might think.
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