Mammoth keep swinging: Utah adds Anders Lee and pushes to break through

The Utah Mammoth are a team on the rise, and they're not being patient about it. Since relocating to Salt Lake City, Utah has made major moves every single offseason, and 2026 is no different. After finishing just seven points shy of the playoffs in 2025-26, the Mammoth reinforced a talented young core in a clear push to break through in a competitive Western Conference.

Progress, and a hunger for more

Utah's 2025-26 season was defined by progress. A deep, young forward group — featuring Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, and Lawson Crouse — helped the Mammoth boast 10 players who reached double figures in goals, a testament to their balanced attack. Falling just short of the postseason put the franchise squarely in bubble territory, and rather than wait, Utah chose to push its chips forward, as it has each summer since the move.

Adding leadership and depth

The headline addition was veteran forward Anders Lee, the former New York Islanders captain, who signed a three-year deal to bring a strong on-ice and dressing-room presence to a young room. Utah also addressed its goaltending, an area of need after an uneven year in net, and continued to add pieces around its ascending core. The approach is unmistakable: the Mammoth believe their window is opening now and are building accordingly.

Season outlook

Utah enters 2026-27 as a team that could compete for a top-three spot in the Central Division, a remarkable trajectory for a franchise still early in its Salt Lake City era. The young core is the foundation, and the additions of veteran leadership and improved depth address the gaps that kept the Mammoth just outside the playoffs. The question is whether it's enough to break through in a deep conference. But with an aggressive front office, a deep and talented young group, and real momentum, Utah has the ingredients to make the leap. The Mammoth aren't waiting for their moment — they're chasing it.