The Utah Mammoth have made a ton of improvements to their roster this summer. They added J.J. Peterka via trade, along with Brandon Tanev, Nate Schmidt, Vitek Vanecek, and Scott Perunovich in free agency. However, there’s another name they could target: former NHLer Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov, 33, spent 11 years in the NHL, playing the bulk of his career with the Washington Capitals, who originally drafted him. In the 2023-24 season, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, where he finished out the year before heading to Russia. In 743 career NHL games, he scored 172 goals and added 403 assists for 575 points.
Kuznetsov spent the 2024-25 season in the KHL and recorded 37 points in 39 games. Now, he’s looking to return to the NHL and is currently an unrestricted free agent.
The Mammoth could be a potential suitor for Kuznetsov, who would add another middle-six forward to their lineup. He can play down the middle or shift to the wing if needed and still has the potential to produce 35-plus points. He’d likely be available on a one-year deal for under $2 million.
It feels like a no-brainer for a Mammoth team pushing hard for a playoff spot. And once they’re in, who knows what could happen? If they get hot and play their game at the right time, they could find themselves in the Stanley Cup Final.
Adding a former Stanley Cup winner like Kuznetsov could be a quietly savvy move for the organization, one that might pay off in a big way.
3 Mammoth's Who Need A Bounce-Back Season
The Utah Mammoth are positioned to have a very big season in 2025-26. After being one of the most active teams this summer, the organization is hoping that everyone can have a good year and help them clinch their first playoff berth in franchise history. Unfortunately, in order to do that, some members of the Mammoth organization have to be better. Most of their players had great years, but with only so much ice time to go around, some players need to adjust to new roles within the team and sometimes that means less opportunity.
Mammoth's 3 Best Moves From This Off-Season
The Utah Mammoth have had one of the best offseasons in the NHL. It has been known dating back to the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline that the Mammoth were going to look to spend big and make moves to improve their roster, and that is just what they did. General manager Bill Armstrong made a ton of moves this summer, and now they are hoping to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Getting To Know Utah Mammoth's Scott Perunovich
As we come to an end on our "Getting To Know" series, it's finally time to look at one of the Utah Mammoth's minor signings, defenseman Scott Perunovich.
Getting To Know Utah Mammoth's Vitek Vanecek
As we continue on with the "Getting To Know" series, we look at another new addition by the Utah Mammoth. This time it is Stanley Cup-winning goalie Vitek Vanecek, and his journey to signing with the Mammoth this offseason.