Fall has arrived, the NHL is back, and Utah is set to open its 2026-27 season with a busy three-game week. The Mammoth have already set their opening night roster, and two names that made the cut out of training camp are defenseman Dmitri Simashev and forward Daniil But.
Utah enters the regular season after going 2-1-1 in four preseason games. The Mammoth’s last tune-up was a 2-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. They also have a few new faces ready to make their regular-season debuts this week, including forwards Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee.
The slate opens Wednesday night against Chicago, the first of four meetings between the Central Division teams. The Blackhawks will begin their season in Vegas on Sept. 29, then head to Buffalo on Saturday before returning home for their home opener on Oct. 6.
Chicago’s biggest headline this summer was Connor Bedard being named the 37 th captain in franchise history, but he remains out after offseason shoulder surgery. Last season, Bedard led the Blackhawks with 45 assists and 75 points, while Tyler Bertuzzi’s 32 goals were the team high.
Utah then hosts Columbus on Oct. 3 in the first of two matchups with the Blue Jackets. Columbus announced on Sept. 24 that center Adam Fantilli signed a six-year, $82.5 million contract ($13.75M AAV).
Zach Werenski led the Blue Jackets last season with 59 assists and 81 points. Columbus opens its season at home on Oct. 1 and will not play again after Saturday until Oct.
The week wraps up with another home game, this one against the New York Rangers on Oct. 4.
It will be Vincent Trocheck’s first game against his former team since he was traded to the Mammoth on July 1, and it will also be the first time Sean Durzi faces Utah. Mika Zibanejad paced the Rangers last season with 34 goals, 44 assists, and 78 points.
New York opens a two-game homestand with the game against the Mammoth, and Sunday will be its third game of the week.
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