Utah Mammoth Facing Crucial Decisions in Net and Beyond as Trade Deadline Looms
With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching and the Olympic roster freeze kicking in this Wednesday, the Utah Mammoth are staring down a pivotal stretch. The expansion franchise has shown flashes of promise in its inaugural season, but as the playoff push intensifies, one question looms large: can Karel Vejmelka carry this team the rest of the way on his own?
The 29-year-old Czech goaltender has been nothing short of a workhorse. He’s tied with Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy for the most wins in the league - an impressive feat considering he’s logged seven more games than the former Vezina winner. Vejmelka has been leaned on heavily, sharing the league lead in games played among goalies with Nashville’s Juuse Saros.
But the workload is starting to raise eyebrows. Utah’s backup, Vitek Vanecek, has struggled to provide reliable support, posting a 3-9-2 record in 14 starts. That kind of drop-off behind Vejmelka puts a lot of pressure on the starter - especially if Utah hopes to stay competitive down the stretch.
So, do the Mammoth look outside the organization for help? Or could the solution already be in-house?
Enter Michael Hrabal.
The 6-foot-7 Czech netminder - yes, another from Prague - is quietly turning heads at UMass. A second-round pick by the Arizona Coyotes in 2023, Hrabal is in his third NCAA season and putting together his best campaign yet.
He recently set a UMass program record by going 191 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal, a stretch that included back-to-back shutouts against Vermont. He stopped 64 shots across those two games, bringing his season shutout total to four - all in January.
Hrabal, just 21 years old, is still a ways from NHL-ready. The average debut age for goalies is 24, and he’ll likely need a full AHL season before he’s truly in the mix.
But don’t be surprised if Utah signs him to an entry-level deal as early as April or May. The Mammoth may not be ready to hand him the keys just yet, but he’s knocking on the door.
Utah’s Youth Movement Is More Than Just Buzz
While the goaltending situation is front and center, the Mammoth are also building something intriguing on the offensive side. Their prospect pool is deep, talented, and - perhaps most importantly - young.
Leading the charge is Tij Iginla, the franchise’s first-ever draft pick in 2024. Since returning from the World Junior Championship, Iginla has been on a tear for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets.
He dropped a hat trick and three assists against the Vancouver Giants on Jan. 31, pushing his season total to 47 points in 27 games. That’s elite production, and it’s coming from a player who’s still developing.
Iginla was one of three Utah first-rounders to suit up for Team Canada’s bronze medal-winning squad at the World Juniors, alongside Caleb Desnoyers and Cole Beaudoin. Iginla led the group with four goals and four assists, Beaudoin chipped in three goals and four assists, and Desnoyers added six helpers of his own. That’s a strong showing on a big stage - exactly what you want to see from your top prospects.
Desnoyers, Utah’s top draft pick in 2025, is making up for lost time after a wrist injury kept him out of his first NHL training camp. He’s back with the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL, where he’s been a force. Despite missing nearly half the season, he’s leading the team in points per game and ranks fourth in power-play goals - an area where the Mammoth desperately need help, as they currently sit dead last in the NHL in power-play percentage.
Desnoyers’ absence from training camp may slow his NHL timeline slightly, but the 2026 offseason is shaping up to be a major proving ground for the talented forward. With a strong finish to the junior season and a productive summer, he could be knocking on the NHL door sooner than later.
Then there’s Gabe Smith, a fourth-rounder who turned heads at training camp last year. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Smith brings a physical presence that’s hard to ignore. He’s back with Desnoyers in Moncton, and the duo has helped power the Wildcats to a seven-game win streak and the top spot in the Quebec league standings.
Cole Beaudoin, meanwhile, is captaining the Barrie Colts in the OHL and leading the team in both points and assists. His leadership and playmaking are helping keep Barrie in the top four of the Ontario league standings. He’ll be the first of Utah’s young core to turn 20, with Iginla and Smith following in August.
Big Decisions Ahead
As the trade deadline nears, the Mammoth front office has some serious decisions to make. Do they add a veteran goalie to ease Vejmelka’s load? Or do they ride it out and keep developing from within?
The same goes for the offense. With a wave of young, high-upside talent on the way, Utah may not be far from turning the corner. But for now, the focus is on balancing the present with the future - and making sure the franchise’s foundation is strong enough to support what could be a very bright next chapter.