The Utah Mammoth got the kind of win that usually leaves a team feeling good about itself - and then one moment late in the second period changed the mood.
Utah beat the New Jersey Devils 5-3 last night to keep its strong start to the 2026-27 season rolling. Nick Schmaltz scored his league-leading fifth goal, and Mikhail Sergachev piled up three assists in what was shaping up as another big night for the Mammoth’s blue line.
Then Sergachev exited with an injury and did not return.
The play came when MacKenzie Weegar, a defenseman on the first line with Sergachev, tried to clear the puck out of the offensive zone. The puck instead struck Sergachev on the side of his helmet, sending him to the locker room.
For now, there’s no update on his condition.
That uncertainty is what makes this situation so uncomfortable for Utah, especially with the memory of a similar injury still fresh around the league. Just before the season, Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber took a puck to the head, fractured his skull and needed surgery, leaving him out indefinitely.
Utah’s case may not end up anywhere near that severe, but the lack of information is enough to put the focus squarely on Sergachev’s status. The Mammoth already took a hit last week when big defenseman Maveric Lamoureux underwent shoulder surgery and was ruled out for 4-6 months.
If Sergachev is out for any length of time, Utah’s depth on defense suddenly looks a lot thinner. That’s why the trade buzz around Simon Edvinsson becomes more interesting now. The former first-round pick has been mentioned in that context, and a move could make more sense if Sergachev’s absence stretches on.
For the moment, though, the only real answer is that nobody knows much yet. Utah’s hope is simple: Sergachev is too important on both sides of the puck to lose for long.
In Other News...
Utahs Power Play Is Suddenly Making The Central Take Notice
Utah keeps looking like a team the Central Division may have to take seriously, and the latest proof came in a 5-3 win over the Devils that pushed the Mammoth to 3-1. Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller drove the offense again, but the more notable development for opponents has been how dangerous Utah has become with the man advantage, converting 8 of 13 power-play chances this season.
The night also brought mixed feelings around Mikhail Sergachev, who picked up a career milestone while the game was unfolding. He was involved in the offense before leaving after an injury, adding a reminder that Utahs early-season surge has come with at least a little concern attached as the club waits to see how its defenseman responds. [Read more 🡒]
Roadrunners Take Early Frustration Into A Defining First Road Test
The Tucson Roadrunners head into their first road games of the season this weekend with a chance to reset the early tone of their schedule, visiting the San Jose Barracuda on Friday and Saturday. After a stretch that has already given the team some early frustration, Tucson has also seen a few encouraging signs from its younger group, with rookies beginning to chip in and some of the familiar contributors from last season again carrying weight in the lineup.
San Jose should provide a stern test after a recent overtime win, especially with the Barracuda in the middle of a six-game homestand and looking to keep momentum at home. For Tucson, the question is less about survival on the road than whether this trip can start to reveal a clearer identity, one shaped by the blend of first-year players trying to find their footing and established pieces expected to set the pace. [Read more 🡒]