Soon, thanks to the conclusion of the 2026 Stanley Cup, NHL free agency is about to begin. The free agent market is remarkably unimpressive, with very little stars entering free agency, especially young stars. With that being said, there should be more trades than usual this offseason, but that doesn't mean the Utah Mammoth should consider re-signing an interesting upcoming free agent.
Kailer Yamamoto could be worth re-signing
The now 27-year-old right winger Kailer Yamamoto might be an interesting candidate to re-sign. Yamamoto didn't blow the Mammoth away in 59 games, but he did score 13 goals and add 10 assists. In his career, Yamamoto has really only ever had one full season, a season that saw him score 20 goals in the 2021-22 season with the Edmonton Oilers, which was when he was only 23. Yamamoto, this season, in 59 games, didn't become a cornerstone of the Mammoth offense by any means, but he provided some good depth.
The Mammoth has plenty of good wingers, including Clayton Keller, who scored 88 points, Dylan Guenther, who scored 41 goals, Lawson Crouse, who scored 24 goals, and JJ Peterka, who added 25 goals as well. Showing that Yamamoto most certainly isn't a starter. However, having depth for multiple reasons would only strengthen the team, and Yamamoto wouldn't be super expensive either.
Yamamoto could help a young offense that was at times inconsistent
The Mammoth will have a youthful team again next season, with both cold and hot stretches. This season, this was especially true: the Mammoth won seven straight games at one point but also lost four straight and three straight multiple times throughout the season. At one point, the team lost three straight games in overtime, 3-2, and this showed the inconsistency of the offense. Utah could at times shoot the puck with amazing efficiency, but at times, they were a bit cold as well. This is normal for any team that is young in not just hockey, but any sport.
Yamamoto isn't going to put up great numbers, but he could add some nice reinforcements for a team that might still be very young next season. Utah may still look to make some big trades to reinforce the team, or even a big free-agent signing if they can find one. But Yamamoto is a low-risk, high-reward signing who could definitely benefit the team. Hopefully, as the offseason is about to enter its best part, the team can begin to improve their team.
Over the last couple of seasons, the team has no doubt done this through trades and other moves, and more moves this season can benefit the team massively. The 2025-26 season was just a taste of what Utah can do. Yamamoto could be a part of the puzzle to success again next season.
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