Tag: NHL

Utah Hockey Club’s Mammoth Summer

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Utah Hockey Club’s practice facility Wed Oct 1, 2025 (photo by Tom Walker)

By Tom Walker

Utah Hockey Club’s Mammoth Summer

SALT LAKE CITY–From a new name and logo to the fourth pick in the NHL Draft to roster moves to stadium renovation to a new practice facility, Utah has had an active offseason.

It has been nearly five months since the Utah Hockey Club celebrated its NHL Draft Lottery win which catapulted them to the fourth overall pick from the 14th slot. Two days later the team announced the results of fan voting for naming the franchise, with Mammoth the clear winner over the Outlaws or retaining the Utah Hockey Club moniker, the popular Yeti option having been eliminated due to a trademark conflict with the Yeti coolers company.

No sooner did the NHL and NBA regular seasons draw to a close, Smith Entertainment Group embarked upon a major Delta Center renovation to the lower bowl area of the arena in order to improve sight lines for hockey. More on that later.

Six Utah Mammoth players represented their nations in the 2025 IIHF World Championship tournament which took place in May, with captain Clayton Keller and forward Logan Cooley leading Team USA to its first gold medal in 92 years. Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan also represented the Americans while Barrett Hayton skated for Team Canada and Karel Vejmelka handled netminding duties for Czechia.

On June 25, Utah made a splash in the trade market, sending Kesselring and Doan to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for JJ Peterka. The 23-year-old German forward who had been a restricted free agent immediately signed a five year contract extension worth $7.7 million/year.

Peterka has already scored 30 goals twice in his NHL career and is expected to provide added punch to a young lineup which already features Keller, Cooley, and sniper Dylan Guenther.

On June 27, the Mammoth selected center Caleb Desnoyers of the QMJHL Moncton Wildcats with the fourth overall pick in the NHL draft. The Wildcats won the 2025 QMJHL championship with Desnoyers picking up the Guy Lafleur trophy as playoff MVP, having scored 30 points in the playoffs.

Anticipating which players might be selected in the top thre, Utah covertly brought Desnoyers to Salt Lake City as he was en route to Los Angeles for the draft, hosting a dinner for him at the home of General Manager Bill Armstrong together with the team’s scouting staff. In August, Desnoyers underwent an expected wrist surgery which should keep him out of action through December.

On September 10, the Mammoth unveiled its new world class practice facility in Sandy, Utah, located about 20 minutes drive south of Salt Lake City. Though construction is not 100% completed, the facility was sufficiently ready for rookie camp and will be the envy of the league.

In January it will open to the public and be used for community hockey and other ice sports. Brogan Houston of the Deseret News described it as “basically a private rec center.” Houston wrote, “It’s got two ice sheets, an 8,000-square-foot gym, a pool, hot tub, cold tub, sauna, steam room and a top-of-the-line recovery/therapy room.”

The assembled local sports media experienced conflicting emotions while covering the new rink and rookie camp as reports of the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University just 24 miles away began to spread like wildfire.

On a personal note, I take the University Parkway onramp to northbound Interstate 15 when driving to the Mammoth practice facility and Delta Center, and that morning observed a very large police presence at UVU as I entered the freeway.

At the time I assumed it was just crowd control for the Turning Point USA event which was hosted at the university. Tragically it was something far worse as we came to learn while covering rookie camp. The next day local residents placed 92 American flags all along both sides of the University Parkway overpass in a touching display of community.

On Tuesday this week, local media were invited to a sneak preview of Mammoth and Jazz gear for the new NHL and NBA seasons, and to taste a sampling of the 38 new food items which will make their debut on Thursday as fans attend the first pre-season game at the renovated Delta Center versus the Los Angeles Kings.

The Mammoth pretzel with cheese sauce is amazing! The San Diablo Churro Banana Split is divine! Unfortunately the Thor’s Hammer hickory smoked beef shank was for display only but looked tantalizing. The media toured the ongoing construction inside the arena where the floor has been raised two feet and new modular seating has been constructed in the lower bowl which will be configured differently for hockey and basketball. Somehow or another we were assured that everything will be ready to drop the puck on Thursday night. Continuing modifications to Delta Center will take place next offseason.

Summer has come and gone. The Mammoth are ready to stampede into the 2025-2026 NHL season.

Utah Mammoth Offseason Transactions

April 29 – Jaxson Stauber (G) signed to a 2-year contract

May 28 – Dmitri Simashev (D) signed to a 3-year contract

May 28 – Daniil But (D) signed to a 3-year contract

May 29 – Nick DeSimone (D) signed to a 1-year contract

May 30 – Gabe Smith (C) signed to a 3-year contract

June 11 – Ben McCartney (LW) signed to a 2-year contract

June 25 – Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan traded to Buffalo Sabres for JJ Peterka (C)

June 25 – JJ Peterka (C) signed to a 5-year contract extension

June 30 – Matias Maccelli (LW) traded to Toronto Maple Leafs for a conditional 2027 3rd round pick.

June 30 – Montana Onyebuchi (D) signed to a 2-year contract July 1 – Kailer Yamamoto (RW) signed to a 1-year contract

July 1 – Scott Perunovich (D) signed to a 1-year contract

July 1 – Brandon Tanev (LW) signed to a 3-year contract

July 1 – Nate Schmidt (D) signed to a 3-year contract

July 1 – Vitek Vanecek (G) signed to a 1-year contract

July 7 – Jack McBain (C) signed to a 5-year contract

July 7 – Michael Carcone (C) signed to a 1-year contract

July 16 – Cameron Hebig (C) signed to a 2-year contract

September 25 – Kevin Connauton (D) placed on waivers

September 25 – Connor Ingram (G) placed on waivers

October 1 – Connor Ingram (G) traded to Edmonton Oilers for future considerations.

October 1 – Jaxson Stauber (G) placed on waivers

San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro: Sharks cut down roster and who is on target to stay with the big club?

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The Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier, left, skates with the puck as the San Jose Sharks’ Timothy Liljegren defends during the second period of a preseason game on Monday night at Honda Center. The Ducks won, 3-2. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 Which prospects or fringe players for the San Jose Sharks did they use in Saturday’s preseason game to make a strong case for a roster spot, and how might the coaches deploy them in key moments?

#2 How much were the Sharks’ defensive pairings (especially younger defensemen were tested by Anaheim’s speed and transition game, and which matchups proved decisive?

#3 Sharks goaltender Jakub Sharek saved 13 out of 16 shots and allowed three goals. The Sharks Gabriel Carriere was perfect stopping all 14 shots he faced.

#4 Did special teams (power play / penalty kill) play a focal point for either side, and did one team gain an advantage during man‑advantage situations?

#5 Since this was a preseason contest, how did the strategies differ from regular season — more experimentation, looser play, quicker line changes — and which team adapts better to that style?

Join Len Shapiro for the San Jose Sharks podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Fall 3-2 to Ducks in third Preseason Game

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The Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier, left, skates with the puck as the San Jose Sharks’ Timothy Liljegren defends during the second period of a preseason game on Monday night at Honda Center. The Ducks won, 3-2. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost to the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in their third preseason game of 2025. Cutter Gauthier, Radko Gudas and Frank Vatrano scored for the Ducks.

Ville Husso made 22 saves for the win. Pavol Regenda and Adam Gaudette scored for the Sharks. Goalie Jakub Skarek played the first half of the game for the Sharks, making 13 saves on 16 shots. Gabriel Carriere made 14 saves in the second half.

In a scoreless first period, Anaheim outshot San Jose 9-6. Each team took a single penalty, overlapping for about 30 seconds of four-on-four play. Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais was called for cross-checking Ducks center Tim Washe, then Ducks winger Alex Killorn was called for slashing Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin.

Just 21 seconds into the second period, Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba was called for cross-checking Sharks winger Pavol Regenda and roughing Vincent Desharnais. Desharnais received a matching roughing penalty. The resulting Sharks power play was unproductive.

At 6:22, the Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier scored a power play goal. He intercepted the puck as the Sharks tried to clear it up the middle and put it past Jakub Skarek on the glove side with a wrist shot.

Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas made it 2-0 at 7:09 with a snap shot through traffic that beat Skarek on the stick side. Assists went to Sam Colangelo and Nikita Nesterenko.

Frank Vatrano made it 3-0 at 9:13. Tyson Hinds got behind the Sharks defense and Vatrano was not far behind, ready to take a cross-ice pass to score with a snap shot. An assist also went to Ryan Strome.

Pavol Regenda ended the shutout, deflecting a shot from Mukhamadullin at 13:29. An assist also went to Oliver Wahlstrom.

In all, the officials called ten penalties in the second period. The shots were closer than in the first, 10-9 Anaheim.

The Sharks took another penalty at 2:50 of the third period, a high-sticking call to Kasper Halttunen. Desharnais was also called for high-sticking at 13:02.

Adam Gaudette cut the Anaheim lead to one with a snap shot at 15:59. Shane Bowers got the assist.

The Sharks next play on Wednesday in San Jose against the Ducks again at 7:00 PM PT.

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Sharks Veterans and younger players meshing just fine in camp

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San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg (3) takes part in a practice session on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 With new veterans like John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy, and Jeff Skinner added this offseason, how are they meshing with the younger players in camp? Are they assuming leadership or mentorship roles early on?

#2 Which prospects or camp invites are making the strongest push to break into the NHL roster, and in what roles (bottom 6 forward, power play, penalty kill, third pairing defense, etc.)?

#3 As the team trims its roster (seven players were cut already), what’s the strategy or criteria being used to decide who stays and who is sent down or released?

#4 How is the goaltending competition evolving in camp? Who is standing out between the goalies Alex Nedelikovic and Yaroslav Askarov in terms of consistency, reaction, rebound control, and poise under pressure?

Mary Lisa Walsh cover the San Jose Sharks road games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Tough 2-1 Loss in Preseason Against Golden Knights

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Sharks and Golden Knights at puck drop during the preseason game at SAP Center in San Jose, CA AP Photo

By Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, CA— The team was not feeling it tonight in a tough 2-1 loss against Vegas.

This was not a typical Friday night for the Sharks; the team released a couple of big pieces of news for the upcoming season. The team revealed a new center ice logo and a brand new jersey celebrating the 35th anniversary, incorporating a taste of the past and present.

However, the San Jose Sharks had their second warm-up game against the Golden Knights, in a game where the Sharks took the lead but were unable to maintain the momentum and pace of the game.

The Golden Knights played a team where their star players didn’t have any kind of presence; they were mostly future prospects for next season.

For the Sharks, there are lots of positives to take. Dimitry Orlov opened up the scoring with a power-play goal, and first wearing a Sharks uniform. Yaroslav Askarov made a total of 27 saves, highlighting a great performance. Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson saw some ice time, but tonight was not a good night to shine as the team was very much outplayed.

Cole Schwindt and Lukas Cormier scored the two goals for the visitors, and one of them was a power-play goal.

Coach Ryan Warsofsky spoke to the media after the game. “We have to go back to basics. We have to demonstrate the importance of the NHL’s competitive level, and that’s something the players have to understand. There are only 20 spots available,” Warsofky said

Clearly, the statement the coach wants to convey is that the preseason is not to be taken lightly, every game matters, and every step will dictate what comes next in the regular season.

The team will fly to SoCal to play against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday Night for their third game of preseason.

San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro: Misa at 18 years old can he hang with the more experienced players?

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San Jose Sharks podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 Len talk about the Sharks center Michael Misa at 18 years old can he play with the big men in the NHL.

#2 Can Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith make the big jump in the NHL this season.

#3 Len talk about Dimitry Orolov and Nick Leddy what he brings for the defense and how much time to do you see him getting.

#4 Len, talk about the Sharks goaltenders Alex Nedelijkovic and Yaroslav Askarov and what do you expect from them in front of the net.

#5 Talk about the Sharks on and off defense coming into pre season?

Len Shapiro does the San Jose Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks open ’25/’26 Pre-season with a bang, 3-0, drowning the Golden Knights, Sunday Evening in the Tank.

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San Jose Sharks left wing Jeff Skinner (53) congratulates goaltender Alex Nedelijkovic (33) after the Sharks win over the Vegas Golden Knights in NHL pre season action at SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Sep 21, 2025 (San Jose Sharks X photo)

By Michael Roberson and Vince Cestone

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks (1-0) began the 2025-26 NHL Pre-Season on a good note, with a 3-0 victory over recent rival Vegas Golden Knights (0-1), inside the SAP Center.

Despite not showcasing the high profile Macklin Celebrini, who was absent due to illness, the Silicon Valley fish still prevailed against their Sin City guests. Both teams were stingy on defense in the first period. Both goalies survived a power play, and multiple shots on goal.

San Jose had four legitimate shots at the net, to no avail, while Vegas more than doubled (9)the Sharks’ scoring opportunities, with same no net result, 0-0 after 20 minutes of action. The only real action in the initial period was a hooking penalty by Vegas’ forward Cole Schmidt, and San Jose’s forward Egor Afanasyev was punished or tripping.

The second period had some scoring action during its 20-minute stretch. The Sharks had 12 shots on goal, with two hitting the back of the net, while the Golden Knights reduced their attempts by four (5), with none lighting the lamp.

San Jose defenseman John Klingberg converted a power play “wrister” (7:18) early in the period, to break the ice in the scoreless battle. With less than a minute left in the second, forward Jeff Skinner tipped in a shot to putting the home team up 2-0 (19:14). That remained the score at the second intermission and 40 minutes of regulation play had elapsed.

The final period also seemed to be heading towards another scoreless 20 minutes; however, forward Tyler Toffoli had other plans for the third stanza. He maneuvered himself around the defenders and capitalized on the pulled goalie.

At the 19:17 mark of the game and period, Toffoli put the biscuit in the open basket, and put the Sharks up 3-0 over VGK. As the seconds ticked off, the Sharks accomplished an impressive shutout win inside the Tank.

“The real experienced teams jump on teams in the second period with the changes, the long change. So we really wanted to make that a focus…that translated to some goals.” Stated Sharks’ head coach Ryan Warsofsky

San Jose’s next preseason game will be a rematch versus the very same Vegas Golden Knights at the Tank, Friday, September 26 at 7 PM PT. Vegas will next be in action Tuesday, September 23, as they host the Los Angeles Kings in the Silver State.

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Len Shapiro: Panthers repeat win it all bounce Oilers in six games with 5-1 win

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Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) can’t look anymore after the Florida Panthers scored their third goal in the second period in game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise FL (AP News photo)

NHL Finals podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Edmonton Oilers had too many slow starts and not enough goaltending support from Stuart Skinner allowing three goals in the 5-1 loss.

#2 Tough way to go down losing their second consecutive NHL Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers repeat and were tough customers in game 3 winning 6-1, game 5 winning 5-2, and the Panthers winning it all in game 6.

#3 The Oilers got the heartbreaker losing in Game seven 2-1 last season after coming back from winning three straight games after being down 3-0. This season’s final the Panthers took the last three out of four games to repeat as champions.

#4 The star for game 6 was the Panthers Sam Reinhart who completed a hat trick with two empty net goals. Reinhart finished with four goals to pretty much cinch it for the Panthers.

#5 Talk about the Oilers offense or lack of they didn’t get any scoring support. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid were empty handed with no goals. The only goal the Oilers got was from Vasily Podkolzin in the third period avoiding a shutout.

Len Shapiro is an NHL analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Mary Lisa: Oilers with home ice can capitalize on Panthers in game 5 Saturday

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Edmonton Oilers Corey Perry (90) gets his shot stopped by the Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) in third period action of game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise FL on Thu Jun 12, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 In the first 20 minutes the Edmonton Oilers were behind the Florida Panthers by three goals in the next 20 minutes the Oilers made up for lost time and tied up the game 3-3. Talk about the shots.

#2 The Oilers would take the lead but gave up the tying goal to the Panthers in the last few seconds of regulation that forced overtime with the score at 4-4. You saw four consecutive goals.

#3 Leon Drasaitl once again was the hero of the contest in game 4 scoring the game winning goal in overtime 5-4 on Thursday night. It was Draisaitl’s fourth overtime finals goal a NHL record.

#4 Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said that games like this were exhausting, “Two good teams playing as hard as they are, playing the right way. Obviously with what’s on the line, it’s stressful. There’s a lot on the line, but it is fun and I think our guys are having fun, enjoying this moment.”

#5 Game 5 will be back in Edmonton at Rogers Arena Saturday night at 5:00pm PDT. The Oilers will have home ice and could go up 3-2 on the other hand the Panthers could go up 3-2. It’s an evenly matched final.

Mary Lisa does the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Len Shapiro: Oilers tie up series 2-2; Draisaitl goal breaks deadlock in OT for 5-4 win

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Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates the game winning goal for the Edmonton Oilers in the first overtime of game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise FL (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 In the first 20 minutes the Edmonton Oilers were behind the Florida Panthers by three goals in the next 20 minutes the Oilers made up for lost time and tied up the game 3-3. Talk about the shots.

#2 The Oilers would take the lead but gave up the tying goal to the Panthers in the last few seconds of regulation that forced overtime with the score at 4-4. You saw four consecutive goals.

#3 Leon Drasaitl once again was the hero of the contest in game 4 scoring the game winning goal in overtime 5-4 on Thursday night. It was Draisaitl’s fourth overtime goal a NHL record.

#4 Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said that games like this were exhausting, “Two good teams playing as hard as they are, playing the right way. Obviously with what’s on the line, it’s stressful. There’s a lot on the line, but it is fun and I think our guys are having fun, enjoying this moment.”

#5 Game 5 will be back in Edmonton at Rogers Arena Saturday night at 5:00pm PDT. The Oilers will have home ice and could go up 3-2 on the other hand the Panthers could go up 3-2. It’s an evenly matched final.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com