The Utah Mammoth have made plenty of moves this off-season to improve their roster. Due to that, there could be some over-crowding within the forward group that could leave a few players on the outside looking in. Or, with a lack of playing time, it could make players have a bit more of a difficult time finding their role within the team.
The Mammoth are going to keep looking for ways to improve their team, whether that means moving an odd-man out or making a bigger trade to dramatically strengthen the roster. They’re not afraid to shake things up if it helps push them closer to where they want to be. With that in mind, here are three players who could be potential trade candidates for the Mammoth during the 2025-26 season.
Nick Schmaltz, F
Nick Schmaltz is someone the Mammoth could look to move this season. He’s been a productive top-six forward and an important part of the group for a while, but with one year left on his deal and no talk about an extension, there’s a decision to be made. He’s 29 now, which puts him in that middle ground between the veterans they’ll eventually phase out and the younger core they’re building around.
If the Mammoth want to make another big move to improve the roster, Schmaltz is a name that could come up. He’s still producing, his contract isn’t a burden, and there would be interest from teams looking for scoring help. Whether it’s a hockey trade or something closer to a deadline rental, there’s value there. It really comes down to how Utah views him going forward. If they’re not planning to bring him back, it makes sense to see what’s out there. He could help bring in a piece that fits better with where they’re going, or be part of something bigger if they’re trying to take another step.
Alex Kerfoot, F
Alex Kerfoot is another guy who could be on the move this season. He just signed a one-year extension back on March 5, 2025 but with the other off-season moves that were made, he doesn’t really have a set role right now. He’s been a useful piece who can play just about anywhere, and coaches like having that kind of player around. But if the Mammoth want to make room for another forward to improve their roster, Kerfoot’s a name that could come up.
He’s not going to bring back a major return on his own, but there’s always interest in reliable, versatile forwards when the deadline gets closer. It doesn't seem like there would be a market for him to return to Utah after this season. so it does make sense to see what the market looks like. Even if it’s a mid-round pick, or part of a bigger move. He is someone that could be on another team by the end of the 2025-26 season.
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Lawson Crouse, F
Lawson Crouse is the kind of player who could draw interest if the Mammoth decide to make a bigger move. He’s signed for two more years and plays a heavy, north-south game that teams value, especially in the playoffs. Unfortunately, he struggled last season in Utah, with just 18 points in 81 games. That could make trading him a bit more difficult, but there would likely be at least half a dozen teams interested in him.
Depending on how the Mammoth want to shape their roster, he’s someone who might get looked at. He’s not part of the younger core, and if the team’s aiming to add more speed or skill up front, moving Crouse could open up both cap space and opportunity. He’s also the kind of player that could bring back future assets or a piece that fits better with how they want to play. It’s not that they need to move him, or that they want to. But sometimes that's the cost of doing business when trying to build a Stanley Cup winning roster.
There are a few other players who could find themselves on the trading block this season. Names like Kevin Stenlund, Juuso Valimaki, Ian Cole, and even John Marino could all be made available if it means improving the roster in the right way. None of them are guaranteed to move, but if the Mammoth are looking to tweak the lineup or make room for younger players, those are the types of names that could come up in conversations. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this offseason, it’s that general manager Bill Armstrong isn’t afraid to make bold moves. He’s focused on building a team that can win now, and if that means moving out pieces to make the group stronger overall, he won’t hesitate.
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