SALT LAKE CITY – With the NHL trade deadline just days away, rumors and possible deals are beginning to surface as teams around the league decide to buy or sell.
As an organization emerging from a rebuild, the Utah Mammoth find themselves in somewhat of a challenging situation as they strive to improve their team but must be vigilant to avoid the wrong deal disrupting their current trajectory.
How will the Utah Mammoth approach the NHL trade deadline?
As previously mentioned, the Mammoth are in a unique position in terms of the current state of their rebuild.
Five years after hitting the initial reset button as a franchise, the Mammoth must navigate the challenging in-between phase as they attempt to make the playoffs but aren’t quite ready to really win just yet.
They desire to make the postseason but understand a championship window is still years away.
“You’re always trying to take that next step, and I think our team has been in battle mode from the get-go. So, as we said last year, we wanted to play meaningful games and this year we wanted to play meaningful games and win,” Armstrong told KSL Sports in January.
So, what does that mean in terms of their assets?
After acquiring and utilizing draft picks for nearly half a decade, many of those selections have or will soon become part of their primary core.
Players such as Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther have already cemented themselves as franchise-building blocks on long-term deals, while prospects like Tij Iginla, Daniil But, Dmitri Simashev and several others aren’t far away from breaking into the NHL.
Here’s the kicker though.
Utah simply has too many prospects and not all of them will be able to suit up in a Mammoth sweater.
That’s just the way it is.
But it doesn’t mean those assets still can’t work for them via trade.
If the Mammoth are going to improve their team by Friday, it likely means some of those prospects would be on the move.
Possible deals and rumors involving the Utah Mammoth ahead of the deadline
Before jumping into some of these rumors, it’s important to understand what the Mammoth might be looking for on the trade market
Based on their current roster, Utah could really use another top six center, and a backup goaltender wouldn’t hurt as they approach the postseason.
Who’s available?
According to National Insider Frank Seravalli’s list of possible targets, centers such as Vincent Trocheck, Nazem Kadri, Elias Pettersson, Erik Haula and Robert Thomas are likely available for discussion.
Meanwhile, the same list includes goaltenders Stuart Skinner, Sam Montembeault and Jesper Wallstedt.
Could the Mammoth have interest in any of those players?
Absolutely.
According to National Insider Elliotte Friedman, Utah has even expressed serious interest in Blues forward Robert Thomas.
Per @FriedgeHNIC there’s a decent chance Robert Thomas is traded by Friday’s deadline. 👀
He also said Utah is one of the teams in the mix. 🦣 pic.twitter.com/fK20TXGSrg
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 1, 2026
“I assume it’s some of the teams we’re talking about with Trocheck are also in on Thomas,” Friedman said on the TNT broadcast.
“I think Utah is definitely there…Utah has been very active. They were in on Panarin, Trocheck…obviously Panarin didn’t happen, I don’t think Trocheck is happening there, so now I think they’re taking their shot at Thomas.”
Elliotte Friedman talked to the boys ahead of the deadline about the availability of some guys like Trocheck, Thomas and others 👀
Also if Edmonton is still looking for a goalie 🛢️ pic.twitter.com/fmdRk2lLdo
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) March 1, 2026
Of any player available, Thomas makes the most sense for the Mammoth.
He’s 26-years-old, matches Utah’s timeline, is familiar with Armstrong, has a manageable contract ($8.125M AAV through 2031), averaged 77 points over the previous four seasons and was just activated off of IR.
Makes sense why Utah would want him.
A shorthanded beauty from Robert Thomas puts the Blues up by 2 😮💨
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 3, 2026
What is St. Louis looking for in return?
According to multiple reports, the Blues want the equivalent of three top 15 first-round picks.
“Armstrong has made it clear what the asking price is for Thomas: three first-half-of-the-first-round assets,” Blues insider Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reported.
“For example, that could mean an established young player, a drafted prospect and a draft pick who were all selected or could be taken in the first 15 or so picks.”
This is where Utah needs to be careful.
That’s pretty steep but Thomas may be worth it as he’s a top line center who’s proven he can produce more than 80 points consistently.
Perhaps a deal that would send either Caleb Desnoyers (former fourth overall pick) OR Daniil But (former 12th overall pick) plus Barrett Hayton (former fifth overall pick), Maveric Lamoureux (former 29th overall pick), Alexander Kerfoot and Utah’s 2026 first-round pick to St. Louis in exchange for Thomas.
Some have speculated that Utah would need to send two of their more recently selected top prospects (Tij Iginla, Dmitri Simashev, Desnoyers or But) to get the deal done but I would consider that a serious malpractice.
Thomas for Desnoyers, But, Lamoureax, Kerfoot (salary) and their 2026 1st.
Top 6 of
Schmaltz-Thomas-Keller
Guenther-Cooley-Peterka https://t.co/sCA6zhhgXS pic.twitter.com/lMtI73tQqc
— Mike Bartner (@MikeBartner) March 1, 2026
Why should Utah give up more for Thomas than Minnesota gave up for Hughes?
If Vancouver was willing to give up the second-best defenseman in the world for Marco Rossi (former ninth overall pick), Liam Ohgren (former 19th overall pick), Zeev Buium (former 12th overall pick) and a 2026 first round selection, why would Utah be required to sacrifice just as much if not more?
Now, If St. Louis does push for a different prospect, maybe Cole Beaudoin (24th overall pick) could get the deal across the line.
But all things considered, it’s important to remember that Utah is not trying to win a cup right now.
They don’t desperately need to acquire Thomas.
Would it be an upgrade worth the risk of selling a few prospects?
No doubt.
However, there’s no reason to overpay for him and if the asking price remains astronomical, better to pass on the deal.
A quick thought on Nick Schmaltz
No reason to spend too much time on this, but personally, I’d be surprised if Schmaltz was moved by the deadline.
Yes, he’s an expiring contract but No. 8 has been critical to Utah’s success this season and his chemistry with Clayton Keller is undeniable.
If they want to make the playoffs, there’s no reason to trade him.
Notably, Schmaltz also told KSL Sports in a recent interview that he’s enjoyed Utah and wants to be part of the future in Salt Lake City.
“I’ve enjoyed every second I’ve been here,” Nick Schmaltz said. “The organization has been awesome. The team is continuing to get better and we’re building something special here.”
“I’m hopeful to be part of the future.”
He’s simply too valuable to move and in terms the offseason, Utah can make competitive offers to bring him back.
If he truly is happy here, can get the raise he wants and understands how much he and No. 9 rely on each other to produce, why would he walk away?
Will the Utah Mammoth make a deal?
Before 1 p.m. MT on Friday afternoon, I’d expect Utah to be on the phone constantly as they search for a possible deal to improve their roster.
“We wake up every morning looking to make our team better,” Armstrong told NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger. “We’re never going to stop trying to improve. I think we’re going to evaluate like everybody else and see if there are hockey deals out there.”
However, with that in mind, a deal will likely be dependent on finding the right price.
Thanks to the Minnesota Wild who recently acquired Quinn Hughes, the market is heavily inflated, and teams are driving hard bargains.
For Utah, while they would certainly like to add another piece, they’re not in a desperate state to try and win a Stanley Cup by overselling prospects to win now.
It just doesn’t make sense.
The risk Minnesota took just might win them a Stanley Cup this season, but the Mammoth are still playing more of the long game.
That means a player who matches their timeline, fulfills a need, has a manageable contract and can be obtained without overpaying.
Thomas could potentially be that player, but again, it must be for the right price.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
The Utah Mammoth will begin a five-game road trip against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night at 5 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
