The Utah Mammoth have never been shy about sharing their objectives.
In Season 1, they wanted to play meaningful games in the final weeks of the season, regardless of whether it resulted in an actual playoff berth. That’s exactly what they did, ultimately falling four wins short of the postseason.
This year, the goal is to get into the playoffs. With 25 games to go, nothing is guaranteed, but they went into the Olympic break with possession of the first wild card spot and a 4-point lead over the best non-playoff team.
“We got off to a pretty good start, and then we hit the road and it just wore us down, and seemed like that road never ended,” Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong told the Deseret News. “And then the next part, we got home and got into a pretty good rhythm of playing, were able to get back on our feet and put some wings underneath us.
“... We’ve found our groove a little bit and built confidence in who we are, and that’s generated some wins.”
Utah Mammoth player development
Armstrong is encouraged with the progress of his young stars, whose progression is just as important as that of the team. After all, if the team is only succeeding because of the veterans, it’ll be in a tough position when they’re gone.
“(Dylan) Guenther’s been exactly what the doctor ordered and he’s done a good job and he’s a pretty consistent player,” Armstrong said. “I think there’s some improvement for him — as we all know, as young players can do, and continue to find that consistency in his game. But he’s been a great piece for us.”
Guenther has stated on a number of occasions that he wants to be able to score in a number of different ways. When he first entered the league, teams may not have respected his one-timer as much as they do now, so he can’t solely rely on it.
Last Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings, for example, he scooped up a loose puck and made a power move to create enough space to make a move and tuck the puck five-hole. It’s far from his signature goal, and that’s a good thing.
“JJ (Peterka), I think, is interesting,” Armstrong said. “It takes you a little bit of time, I think, when you get traded, to settle into your new surroundings, new systems and everything. I think he’s done a great job.”
Armstrong highlighted Peterka’s defensive game, which has come miles since he left Buffalo.
Last season, he was on the ice for 84 goals against in 77 games. Through 57 games this year, he’s at 34 — on pace for 62 over the same number of games. That difference of 22 goals is likely the difference between making the playoffs and golfing early.
Logan Cooley was having a breakout year until he went down with a lower-body injury in early December. Through 29 games, he already scored two hat tricks, including a four-goal game.
“It’s been tough for Logan,” Armstrong said. “You feel for him a little bit because he’s a heck of a player and he wants it so bad and he got injured.”
Cooley has been skating with the team for the last two weeks, using a noncontact jersey to protect himself from aggravation. He’s projected to return to the lineup around the conclusion of the break.
If he can pick up where he left off, the team should get a significant boost.
Structural changes
In its inaugural season, Utah suffered 20 come-from-behind losses. In a number of instances, they managed to maintain a lead for the bulk of the game, but gave it up in the final minutes.
Winning just four more of those games would have secured them a playoff spot, so it was imperative that they solved that problem this season. And for the most part, they have.
“Whether it’s a six-on-five trying to score or trying to get better on the power play or PK, we’re always geared towards improving and getting to that next step,” Armstrong said. “I think our club has made a lot of improvements in the last part of games, and that comes down to coaching, it comes down to players buying into protecting the lead, and a little bit of maturity there, too.”
That’s the purpose of those “meaningful games” of which the club has spoken so much. They learned what not to do last season, and it’s helped them close out more close games this year. Their place in the standings reflects that.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
If the Mammoth do accomplish their goal of making the playoffs this year, they’ll have to set the bar even higher next season, right?
Not necessarily.
“There’s a lot of patience that goes in, you know? Most clubs that become championship clubs have to go through some pain,” Armstrong said.
He pointed to the 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning as an example. They had what was, at the time, the fourth-best regular season in NHL history. They played the second wild card-holding Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round and got swept in four games.
The next season, they came back with a lesser regular season but better playoff preparation, and went on to win the Stanley Cup. They did the same thing the following year, and then lost in the Final the year after that.
During Armstrong’s 16-year tenure with the St. Louis Blues in positions ranging from amateur scout to assistant GM, he experienced a number of similar setbacks, though none were as drastic as the Lightning’s. In 2019, their experience culminated in the organization’s first-ever championship.
“I’m not saying we’re going to be immune to that pain. I mean, you’re asking me what comes next — probably pain. Growth and pain, growth and pain,” he said.
“That’s how you get a little bit better, each time, but I like where our club’s at. We’ve been pushing here. We’re right where we’re supposed to be, where we want to be, and we’re pushing down the stretch to get into the playoffs, and that’s a huge thing. So I don’t want to look too far ahead.”
