Apr 14, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Utah Hockey Club center Nick Schmaltz (8) celebrates goal with center Clayton Keller (9) against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/43a0d84e-8c90-48e5-b088-e0eb8b027bb1.jpeg] Apr 14, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Utah Hockey Club center Nick Schmaltz (8) celebrates goal with center Clayton Keller (9) against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Utah Mammoth's ultimate goal this season is to make the playoffs and have a chance at competing for the Stanley Cup. Funny enough, there are a lot of other teams in the NHL trying to do the same thing. Yes, the ultimate goal that all NHL players will tell you is winning the Stanley Cup Finals and that anything short of that isn't good enough. But on the path to achieving the ultimate goal, players can accomplish goals of their own that directly help improve the team. Whether it's getting a first-ever All-Star nod or something as small as getting more time on the ice, players will always accomplish personal goals and milestones on the way to getting closer to becoming champions. For each player on the Utah Mammoth, the ultimate goal may be to do whatever is asked for the betterment of the team, but that includes accomplishing unique individual feats. And that's exactly what this article will lay out. Here are some of the personal goals Utah's top six should look to accomplish this upcoming season. CLAYTON KELLER Jan 23, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) shoots as Minnesota Wild center Frederick Gaudreau (89) defends during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d109fac4-055f-4477-b0ce-25f900182343.jpeg] Jan 23, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) shoots as Minnesota Wild center Frederick Gaudreau (89) defends during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Goal: Become Utah's First Ever 100 Point Player Though Utah's captain will be focused on leading his team to its first-ever playoff berth, the team's odds of making it will only get better if Keller can achieve this. Only 127 players have ever achieved the mark in NHL history, [https://records.nhl.com/records/skater-records/scoring-plateaus/most-100-or-more-point-point-season] but Keller just registered a career-best 90 points last season. While getting another 10 points is easier said than done, Keller will get more offensive help from young weapons like Cooley, Guenther, and now Peterka continuing to develop. Specifically, with the inclusion of Peterka, opposing defenses will have a harder time than ever if they exclusively focus on stopping Keller. With more space and a new offensive weapon to work with in Peterka, Keller could realistically hit a 100-point season. With Keller getting 90 points on a team that averaged 2.93 goals per game last season, which was 21st in the league, don't be surprised if he can cross the 100-point mark with an improved Utah offense next season. JJ PETERKA Mar 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) moves the puck against Utah Hockey Club defenseman Olli Määttä (2) during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/22616ccf-3f03-4b78-8f03-9620b66df515.jpeg] Mar 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) moves the puck against Utah Hockey Club defenseman Olli Määttä (2) during the third period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Goal: Develop Team Chemistry For Peterka, two of his personal goals have already been achieved. Not only did he get a valuable five-year extension worth $7.7 million AAV, but he was also able to move on from Buffalo, where he was reportedly unhappy according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/report-sabres-now-listening-on-jj-peterka]https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/report-sabres-now-listening-on-jj-peterka Now the goal for Peterka will be to see how he can be the best version of himself on a new team. While his offensive production was the primary reason why Utah traded for him, if he can form an offensive connection with his new teammates fast and early in the season, he could jumpstart the Mammoth's offense and help get them build some early momentum to start to the season. First and foremost, Peterka should focus on integrating with his new teammates—whether it's establishing trust on the ice on both offense and defense, or finding his voice in the locker room. Then he can shoot for whatever personal goals he may have like making an All-Star appearance or a simple improvement on the ice. LOGAN COOLEY Dec 30, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92) high fives teammates not he bench after scoring a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c699085d-99e0-4503-8fcd-72af5fd2c933.jpeg] Dec 30, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92) high fives teammates not he bench after scoring a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images Goal: Become Utah's Highest Paid Player Keeping Cooley is a no-brainer for Utah Mammoth. At only 21 years old, Cooley has already impressed on the ice and is highly valued by the team as he is already considered one of their franchise players. Cooley is already in a great situation to receive an extension, but if he continues his great play, he will have the leverage to become Utah's highest-paid player. Whether Cooley wants a five-year extension like Peterka or an eight-year extension like Guenther is up to him and Utah to negotiate, but he likely could above $8 million annually. What matters most is if Cooley can make his growth translate to better play on the ice this season. If he can do that, not only will he receive a contract extension, with the NHL's salary cap only expected to rise in the following seasons, but it will directly lead to more wins for Utah Mammoth. DYLAN GUENTHER Nov 23, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Utah Hockey Club right wing Dylan Guenther (11) and goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<br> [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/af76754e-e21b-4bc7-a6f5-209077625083.jpeg] Nov 23, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Utah Hockey Club right wing Dylan Guenther (11) and goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<br> Goal: Commit To His Future Role Whichever line Guenther gets put on, he will prove to be a valuable contributor. Last season, Guenther spent his time on both the first and second lines. Most notably, Guenther ended the season paired with Cooley and Keller when Utah looked to make a final push to get into the playoffs. But with Peterka joining the roster, Guenther's spot on the first line isn't surefire. And with Peterka also on the top power-play unit when he was in Buffalo, Guenther may be asked to sacrifice his spot there too, depending on where coach André Tourigny wants to stick both players. Regardless, Guenther's one-timers and clutch goals will continue to be cherished by the Utah Mammoth. There is a reason why he's on the first year of an eight-year contract this season. But out of all the players on Utah's roster, Guenther is in a position where he arguably has to accommodate Peterka more than anyone else. If he can embrace the position he is asked to play on the team, Utah will be better for it. NICK SCHMALTZ & BARRETT HAYTON Feb 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Utah Hockey Club center Barrett Hayton (27) celebrates his power play goal scored against the Los Angeles Kings with center Nick Schmaltz (8) during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6ef559c7-fc8f-4755-81f2-94369f6b4047.jpeg] Feb 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Utah Hockey Club center Barrett Hayton (27) celebrates his power play goal scored against the Los Angeles Kings with center Nick Schmaltz (8) during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Goal: Secure The Bag Cooley isn't the only Mammoth looking for a contract extension, as both Schmaltz and Hayton are both playing on the last year of their deals. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah/latest-news/3-utah-mammoth-contract-extension-candidates-to-watch] With Schmaltz and Hayton most likely playing together on the second line, both can directly help each other score valuable contract extensions depending on how well they end up playing together this season. Schmaltz, who is the only unrestricted free agent, has more freedom than Cooley and Hayton if he decides he would rather leave Utah than sign a contract extension. But with Utah extending contracts before the trade deadline this past season, Schmaltz should look to become too valuable to trade and earn a contract extension. Utah Mammoth Should Target Panthers' Evan Rodrigues [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b536a024-6d83-4cf9-b5c3-22dec2ce94f2.jpeg] Utah Mammoth Should Target Panthers' Evan Rodrigues The Utah Mammoth have been one of the busiest NHL teams this off-season and they could still be looking at improving their roster via trade. The Mammoth's general manager Bill Armstrong has been clear about one thing since the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline: he wants his team to get better and to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. That looks like it is going to happen, but if he continues to make more moves, it will just solidify their chances. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah/latest-news/utah-mammoth-should-target-panthers-evan-rodrigues] For that reason, Schmaltz should aim for a fast start to the season—unlike last season when he didn't register a goal in his first 24 games. As for Hayton, his situation is a little different, considering he is only 25 years old and hasn't quite hit his prime. Because of that, his focus this year should be proving he deserves that extension. Not only will improved production from Hayton help the Utah Mammoth on the ice, but it will help him get one step closer to a big payday. And considering Schmaltz had the second-highest assist total on the team last season, when Hayton does well, he does well too. Hayton has already shown he can be lethal scoring in the blue paint, but he can become more consistent if he and Schmaltz establish an even stronger connection this season. Both players would also benefit if they can be effective on the second power-play unit.
