The Utah Mammoth are no longer just the NHL’s newest expansion team - they’re a legitimate playoff contender knocking on the door in a crowded Western Conference. After missing the postseason in their inaugural 2024-25 campaign, the Mammoth have turned some heads this year. With the Olympic break approaching, the question isn't whether they should make a move - it's what kind of move can push them over the edge.
Let’s be clear: this team has already made serious strides. Built on the foundation of the former Arizona Coyotes, a franchise that hadn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2019-20, Utah has quickly created an identity. But if they want to take the next step - and make some noise come spring - the front office has some decisions to make.
Injury Bug Biting Hard
The Mammoth have been battling the injury bug all season. Key forwards Alex Kerfoot and Logan Cooley are on injured reserve, and others like Barrett Hayton and Brandon Tanev have missed chunks of time. That’s taken a toll on their consistency, especially on offense.
Despite a promising young core, the team sits middle-of-the-pack in scoring - 16th in the league at 3.15 goals per game. The bigger concern?
Their power play has been ice cold. Dead last in the NHL in conversion rate, Utah’s man-advantage unit has been more of a liability than a weapon.
That’s a glaring hole for a team trying to hang with the big boys in the West.
Youth Movement - With a Need for Experience
There’s a lot to like about this forward group. JJ Peterka, Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, Hayton, and Cooley are all 27 or younger.
That’s a talented, fast, and skilled group - but none of them have playoff experience. That matters when the games get tight, the ice shrinks, and every possession feels like a battle.
On the back end, the Mammoth do have some playoff-tested veterans in Mikhail Sergachev and Nate Schmidt - both Stanley Cup winners - but the forward corps could use a steadying presence. Someone who’s been through the wars. Someone who can lead by example when the pressure ramps up.
The Assets Are There - So Is the Cap Room
Utah is in a rare and enviable position: they’ve got the flexibility to make a big move. The team holds 27 draft picks over the next few years, including first-rounders in each of the next three drafts, three second-rounders in 2026, and a pair of thirds.
They also have $7.3 million in cap space right now and a projected $27.7 million available this summer. Translation: if GM Bill Armstrong wants to swing big, he’s got the ammo.
Why Nazem Kadri Makes So Much Sense
Enter Nazem Kadri.
With Cooley still sidelined, there’s a clear need down the middle. Nick Schmaltz has held down the top-line center role admirably - he’s second on the team in points with 47 (19 goals, 28 assists) - but there’s a noticeable drop-off behind him.
Hayton, currently slotting in as the second-line center, has just 19 points. Even when Cooley returns, his versatility could allow him to shift to the wing or anchor the third line.
Kadri would immediately elevate the top six.
Kadri’s production this season - 35 points (9 goals, 26 assists) - might not jump off the page, but the underlying numbers tell a different story. He’s generating chances at a high rate, with an expected goal total of 18.
His shooting percentage is down, and he hasn’t had consistent linemates in Calgary. Put him in a more structured, offensively capable system, and those numbers could spike in a hurry.
And let’s not overlook the power play. Kadri has been Calgary’s most effective weapon on the man advantage, with 13 power-play points this season.
He’s had at least 19 power-play points in each of the last four years. For a Mammoth team that desperately needs a spark with the extra man, Kadri could be the fix.
Financial Fit and Long-Term Outlook
Kadri’s contract - $7 million AAV through 2028-29 - fits within Utah’s current cap structure without needing Calgary to retain salary. That’s a big plus.
The Flames, meanwhile, are in the midst of a youth movement. With an average age of 26.85, they’re one of the youngest teams in the league.
Trading veterans like Kadri, Blake Coleman, and Mikael Backlund would align with their long-term vision.
Veteran Leadership That Matters in April
Kadri’s playoff résumé is exactly what Utah needs. He’s played in 52 postseason games, racking up 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists), and was a key part of the Colorado Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup run.
That kind of experience isn’t just valuable - it’s vital. He knows what it takes to win when the stakes are highest, and he’s not afraid of the moment.
That’s the kind of presence that can settle a young locker room and elevate a team when it matters most.
Time to Make the Move
The Mammoth are 28-23-4, sitting just outside the playoff picture. They’re tied in points with the Los Angeles Kings, who currently hold the final wild card spot - but the Kings have a game in hand. Every point matters now, and the margin for error is razor thin.
If Utah wants to make a serious push in a loaded Western Conference, the time is now. Kadri checks every box: experienced, productive, power-play savvy, and playoff-tested. The Mammoth have the cap space, the picks, and the need.
All that’s left is to make the call.