For a while in the first day of free agency, it seemed like the Utah Mammoth were really quiet. However, that didn't last long as multiple moves would occur, including trades and signings, that would prove that Utah was anything but quiet. Utah seems like it wants to compete now as the team looks to improve upon their first ever postseason appearance.
Mammoth lose several players to free agency, get offer-sheet for interesting player
Ian Cole:
Unfortunately for Utah, they will lose there only player to have played all 164 games so far for the franchise, Ian Cole. Utah clearly wasn't intent on keeping the 37-year-old in Utah as the team decided to make several other moves to improve the team in ways that are very important. The Chicago Blackhawks will get a pretty good defender in Cole. Utah doesn't need to worry too much though, as they can and will replace him well.
Alexander Kerfoot:
The Mammoth will lose center Alexander Kerfoot to the Nashville Predators. This departure needed to happen as the 31-year-old didn't add too much to Utah, not to mention he was blocking some youngsters from getting playing time. Kerfoot as played in just 34 games, meaning this departure is actually good news for Utah.
Vitek Vanecek:
Vitek Vanecek was anything but a good goalie for the Utah Mammoth, and it is isn't surprising to see that Utah wanting to have nothing to do with him anymore. Utah has traded for a new goalie anyway and will hope to get some good numbers out of him.
Offer Sheet for Barrett Hayton
Even though many might think that the New Jersey Devils bullied the Mammoth with an offer sheet for Barrett Hayton- they really didn't. The Mammoth now have 6 days to match the $4.775M offer to Hayton, or he is going to be signed by NJ and the Mammoth will receive a second round pick in the 2027 NHL draft. If Utah does re-sign him essentially they don't have any salary cap room left and can't trade him for a whole year.
The solution for Utah shouldn't be that hard, just don't match the offer. By trading for a center yesterday, and already having multiple others, including some big time prospects, the need for a center for Utah isn't there. The former 5th overall selection Hayton, now 26, hasn't lived up to his potential anyway. In 67 games this last season, Hayton scored just 10 goals and added only 15 assists. Hayton isn't bad and still has good potential, but allowing him to walk wouldn't hurt that much, at least for now.
Mammoth make several big moves, trade, sign two stars
Mammoth trade for Vincent Trocheck:
Vincent Trocheck, 32, was rumored to be one of the top trade targets before the trade deadline in 2026. Now, Trocheck was been traded to the Utah Mammoth in return for Sean Durzi, a 2027 third round pick, and Cole Beaudoin. The highlight of the return for the New York Rangers is the 24th overall selection of the 2024 NHL draft, Beaudoin, who has become a high prospect. The Mammoth also trade Durzi, a defenseman who can be pretty good at times but does player with a lot of passion. Nonetheless though, the Mammoth trade for a superstar who is literally good at everything: faceoffs, penalty-kills, goals, points, skate-speed, and more.
Trocheck offensively had a down 2025-26 season as he scored just 16 goals and added 37 assists, but he did miss 15 games. Trocheck can definitely rebound though as the Mammoth get the superstar the team seemed to be gearing up for. Trocheck also adds leadership, experience, and significant depth to a team that already had pretty good depth. Ultimately, the trade was a pretty big win for Utah (not horrible for New York though, either).
Mammoth sign veteran Anders Lee
In addition to adding veteran Trocheck, the Mammoth decided to sign veteran 35-year-old, Anders Lee, to a 3-year, $5.4M AAV deal. Lee has consistently been a great goal-scorer, but the left-winger adds some valuable experience and leadership to a team with a lot of young stars. Lee scored 19 goals this last season and also added 23 assists (42 points). Essentially, Lee has scored anywhere between 19-29 goals since the 2017-18 season, in which he scored 40 goals. Lee, the former-captain of the New Islanders, had spent his whole career in New York and scored 308 career goals.
To put it simply, the Mammoth focused on adding veterans who can still be an offensive force. Lee heading into his age 36 season may not be what he was 10 seasons ago, but Lee can still score goals as he showed this season. These two moves pretty much means that Utah isn't going to add any massive star, but the moves remain to be really good anyway. Utah decided to add veterans to a team that has a ton of youth, and better yet did so while not taking away any offense and adding a lot of depth. Ultimately, this offseason seems to be a big win for Utah so far.
Add us as a preferred source on Google