Mar 16, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Utah Hockey Club forward Jack McBain (22) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

With defenseman Nick DeSimone as the latest signing for the Utah Mammoth, the 2025-26 roster is shaping up to feature many familiar faces.

After suffering its fair share of defenseman injuries, it’s smart for Utah to retain players like DeSimone, especially since he actually played well in the 20 games he was on the lineup.

Add in the recent signings of Dmitri Simashev and Daniil But, both drafted by Utah in the 2023 NHL Draft, along with the upcoming NHL draft, Utah continues to bolster its roster.

While Utah won’t have many players left to retain once NHL free agency officially starts on July 1, there are still a few roster players GM Bill Armstrong will need to make decisions on.

While the bigger question this offseason will be whether Armstrong participates in the Mitch Marner sweepstakes or targets other free agents, figuring out what to do with the team’s unsigned players should remain a top priority for Utah.

So with that, let's revisit who Utah Mammoth still has to make decisions on.

Jack McBain

McBain is the only restricted free agent on the list and arguably Utah Mammoth’s most important remaining player.

Though Utah is expected to try to re-sign him due to his consistent production—back-to-back 27-point seasons on his last two-year deal—and his chemistry with the team, notably with Josh Doan and Lawson Crouse on the third line toward the end of the season, where he was a valuable contributor, there hasn't been a signing made yet.

Considering McBain's also willing to play physical, whether it's a big hit or his willingness to drop his gloves and fight, Utah is sure to love the energy he plays with on the ice.

Though Utah will have time to sign him before the offseason begins, and the ability to match any offers due to his restricted free agent status, the team should aim to sign McBain before free agency even starts.

While it’s unclear what contract he will receive, McBain is likely looking for something better than his last deal—a two-year, $3.2 million contract.

Considering how well he has played, Utah would probably like to sign him for longer than two years, but everyone will just have to wait and see what McBain and Utah agree to.

Nick Bjugstad

Out of all the free agents, Bjugstad's return is probably the hardest to predict. Bjugstad has said he wants to return to the team, but whether or not Armstrong wants to retain him is the big question.

His production dipping from a 45-point 2023-24 season to a 19-point campaign last season is certainly notable, and it partially happened as young players like Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and Barrett Hayton all stepped up.

But towards the end of the season, the fourth line comprised of Bjugstad, Kevin Stenlund and Alexander Kerfoot were making good plays when they played together on the ice.

So while Bjugstad’s production dipped, the Utah Mammoth could offer him a one-year contract to run it back with mostly the same roster before the 2025-26 offseason, when they’ll have many free agents to manage.

Michael Carcone

Though Carcone is an unrestricted free agent for Utah, it is very unlikely he'll come back after saying he and the team are "gonna go in a different direction” in his exit interview.

It's reasonable for Carcone to want a change of scenery considering he only played in 53 games, which was 21 less than his previous season. Oftentimes, he was being put as a healthy scratch too.

When free agency arrives, don't expect Carcone to return to the roster as he looks for a team that can offer more consistent playing time.

Robert Bortuzzo

For Bortuzzo, the question isn't so much whether Utah Mammoth will sign him, but whether he has played his last hockey game.

Retirement has been something Bortuzzo has talked about and it would certainly be a fitting end to retire after facing St. Louis in Utah's season finale, since the Blues was the team he spent 10 seasons with and won the Stanley Cup with in 2019.

He even has alluded to the possibility in his exit interview, saying he didn't "exactly know what the future holds hockey-wise, but would love to maybe stay in hockey," even if he's no longer playing.

But even if Bortuzzo decides he wants to play again, Utah may choose not to re-sign him. He’s 36 years old and dealt with multiple injuries last season, appearing in only 17 games. But even if Bortuzzo was healthier and not contemplating retirement, Utah still may have been willing to let Bortuzzo walk because of its addition of newly signed defenseman Simashev.

With the recent signing of DeSimone, and Armstrong calling him 'a veteran presence to our blue line and a good role model for our young team,' Utah may no longer need to bring Bortuzzo back for his veteran experience, regardless of whether he retires or not.

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Bonus: Kailer Yamamoto

Though Yamamoto isn't currently on the roster, he still serves as an interesting restricted free agent for Utah Mammoth due to him having played in the last nine games of the 2024-25 season.

Utah only would want him to play for its AHL affiliate Tuscon Roadrunners, Utah could want to retain Yamamoto simply because of his time spent on the team.

It’s hard to say if Yamamoto’s play over the last nine games was enough for Utah to want to keep him on the active roster, but if a roster spot opens up, he could be a logical addition.

Who Are Utah Mammoth's Remaining Unsigned Players?