Simashev started the season in Utah, making his season debut and playing 24 games, but has since been in the AHL. The 20-year-old defenseman, the sixth-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 20 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).
Sean Durzi (upper body) will return from a multi-week absence on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, sending Simashev to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. Simashev, the first-year NHLer, is averaging 15:29 time-on-ice and has one assist in 22 games this season.
Olli Maatta will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing Simashev to return after a one-game absence. The 20-year-old Simashev is averaging 15:41 time-on-ice and has one assist through 19 games in his rookie season.
Simashev will take a seat on Tuesday as the Mammoth opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Olli Maatta will dress in his place.
Simashev was Utah's 2023 1st-round pick (6th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Mammoth on Wednesday. The 20-year-old Russian defenseman is expected to head to North America for the 2025-26 season after putting up a goal, six points and a +9 plus/minus in 56 games played with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) in 2024-25.
