The Utah Mammoth are turning heads early in the 2025-2026 NHL season, not just for their exciting new name and branding, but for their surprisingly stout defensive play. After a shaky start to their inaugural season as the Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25, General Manager Bill Armstrong has seemingly transformed the team’s blue line into a formidable force.
Through the first six games, the Mammoth have posted a 4-2-0 record, showcasing a marked improvement in preventing goals. They are currently riding a three-game win streak, bolstered by a successful homestand at the Delta Center where they secured victories against the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, and Calgary Flames. The team is allowing the fourth-fewest goals against in the NHL, averaging just 2.17 goals per game. Even more impressive, they are holding opponents to a league-low 21.8 shots per game. This defensive stinginess is a significant departure from last season and a testament to the changes implemented by Armstrong.
The architect of this defensive turnaround, Bill Armstrong, made key acquisitions to bolster the team's defensive core. The addition of veteran defenseman Olli Määttä from the Detroit Red Wings in late October of last year provided stability and experience to the blue line. Määttä's steady presence and defensive acumen have been invaluable in solidifying the team's structure. Alongside Määttä, other defensemen like Ian Cole, Nick DeSimone and John Marino contribute to a more robust and reliable defensive unit.
Goaltending has also played a crucial role in the Mammoth's defensive success. Karel Vejmelka has emerged as the team's starting goaltender, posting a 3-1-0 record with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in his first four games. Vítek Vaněček, serving as the backup, has also proven to be a capable netminder, with a 1-1-0 record, a 2.01 goals-against average, and an .897 save percentage. The strong goaltending tandem provides the Mammoth with confidence and stability in the defensive end.
However, the Mammoth have faced some adversity early in the season with injuries to key defensemen. Sean Durzi, who missed a significant portion of the previous season due to a shoulder injury, is expected to be out for four weeks with an upper-body injury sustained in the second game against the Nashville Predators. Last season, Durzi's absence caused considerable instability on the blue line, but this year, the team seems better equipped to handle such setbacks.
Despite Durzi's injury, the Mammoth's defensive structure has remained intact, a clear indication of the depth and quality Armstrong has instilled in the team's defensive ranks. This resilience highlights the team's improved ability to withstand injuries and maintain a high level of defensive performance.
Offensively, the team is still finding its footing, averaging 2.83 goals per game. The biggest offseason acquisition, JJ Peterka, is expected to boost offensive production. While the offense continues to develop, the Mammoth's strong defensive foundation provides a solid base for the team to build upon. Recently, the team has focused on generating more offense through different avenues, such as utilizing the forecheck, capitalizing on top players' performances, and encouraging depth scoring. In their recent homestand, the Mammoth have outscored their opponents 12-6, indicating a positive trend in offensive output.
As the Utah Mammoth continue their 2025-26 campaign, their defensive transformation offers a promising outlook for the season. With a combination of skilled defensemen, reliable goaltending, and a commitment to defensive structure, the Mammoth are proving to be a tough team to score against. If the offense can catch up to the defense, the Utah Mammoth could become a force to be reckoned with in the NHL's Western Conference.
