Schmaltz has become a reliable top-six forward in recent seasons and has been awarded a massive eight-year contract extension. The 30-year-old forward has scored over 50 points and at least 20 goals in each of his previous four seasons. He currently is pacing for career bests in all major offensive categories this season, with 59 points (24G / 35A) through 65 games.
Vejmelka will be back between the pipes for Mammoth on Tuesday after getting the night off in favour of Vitek Vanecek on Monday. Vejmelka secured his league-leading 30th victory of the season in his last start, allowing four goals on 31 shots in a 5-4 overtime win in Columbus. The 29-year-old carries a 30-16-2 record into Tuesday night's matchup, where the Mammoth enter action at +125 on the money line.
Szuber offers the Mammoth some depth on the back-end while Mikhail Sergachev is sidelined with a lower-body injury. Szuber was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. His lone NHL appearance came back in the 2023-24 season with the Coyotes. Szuber has ten goals and 15 assists in 50 AHL games this season.
Vanecek has seen limited action lately, with only three starts since the beginning of January (3-0-1), but was tremendous in last week's 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, saving all 16 shots he faced for his first shutout in a Utah jersey. The 30-year-old Czech goalie has a solid 2.22 GAA and .917 SV% in his last five games (2-2-1). The Mammoth enter Monday's contest as significant -222 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that lost 4-3 in overtime last night to the Dallas Stars.
Vanecek has seen limited action lately, with only three starts since the beginning of January (3-0-1), but was tremendous in last week's 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, saving all 16 shots he faced for his first shutout in a Utah jersey. The 30-year-old Czech goalie has a solid 2.22 GAA and .917 SV% in his last five games (2-2-1). The Mammoth enter Monday's contest as significant -222 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that lost 4-3 in overtime last night to the Dallas Stars.
Simashev will draw into the lineup in place of Mikhail Sergachev, who is out with a lower-body injury. Simashev has zero goals and one assist in 24 games this season.
Sergachev scored a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals, but played a season-low 18:33 time-on-ice and will missThursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old Sergachev is having a terrific season with Utah, scoring 42 points (10G / 32A) in 61 games.
Vanecek has not played in over a month and will make his post-Olympic break return to the crease on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old Czech goalie only has one win in his last 11 outings (1-8-2), posting a subpar 3.19 GAA and .876 SV%. He has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1). The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as -120 road favourites against a Flyers team on a three-game winning streak.
Sergachev scored a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals, but played a season-low 18:33 time-on-ice and is uncertain for Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old Sergachev is having a terrific season with Utah, scoring 42 points (10G / 32A) in 61 games.
Vanecek has not played in over a month and will make his post-Olympic break return to the crease on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old Czech goalie only has one win in his last 11 outings (1-8-2), posting a subpar 3.19 GAA and .876 SV%. He has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1). The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as -120 road favourites against a Flyers team on a three-game winning streak.
Simashev was drafted sixth-overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut this season, scoring one assist in 24 games with the Mammoth. That said, the 21-year-old defenseman has spent the last couple of months in the AHL, where he has excelled, with 28 points (8G / 20A) in 30 games with the Tucson Roadrunners.
After a bit of deliberation, Weegar ultimately decided to wave his no-movement clause and join the Mammoth. A steady two-way defender, Weegar flourished in his first three seasons in Calgary, including a 20-goal campagin back in 2023-24, but the 32-year-old defenceman has struggled at times this season. He's registered just three goals and 18 assists in 60 games while posting a -35 plus/minus rating. A change of scenery might just be what Weegar needs, as he now joins a Utah team that currently holds the Western Conference's first Wild Card spot.
Vejmelka allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, and has struggled since returning from the Olympic break, posting a 3.37 GAA and .870 SV% in three games (1-2-0). He will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals, looking to return his form before the league stoppage, where he won 10 of 13 games (10-3-0) while posting a solid 2.20 GAA and .919 SV%. The Mammoth enter Tuesday's contest as +108 road underdogs against a Capitals team coming off a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Vejmelka allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, and has struggled since returning from the Olympic break, posting a 3.37 GAA and .870 SV% in three games (1-2-0). He will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals, looking to return his form before the league stoppage, where he won 10 of 13 games (10-3-0) while posting a solid 2.20 GAA and .919 SV%. The Mammoth enter Tuesday's contest as +108 road underdogs against a Capitals team coming off a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
