Game 3 of the preseason could be a lot of players’ last NHL appearance while the fourth and final exhibition serves as a preview of the lineup the Utah Mammoth will field against the Chicago Blackhawks. As the schedule tightens and matchups intensify, the organization faces an increasingly difficult task of determining who will stay for Monday and who will likely be cut.
Gone Fishing
Liam O’Brien never qualified as a goal scorer early in his tenure, but since joining the Mammoth he has become a reliable offensive spark. As a steady fourth‑liner known for relentless grinding, powerful hits, and aggressive forechecking, O’Brien creates plenty of scoring chances and occasionally adds decisive goals—most recently capitalizing on a fortunate break during last season’s showing.
This preseason has seen O’Brien emerge as a dynamic attacker, scoring in back‑to‑back games and displaying rapid offensive maturity. His surge resembles the league‑defining transformation witnessed with Alex Ovechlin’s resurgence, although O’Brien’s drive stems from disciplined work ethic rather than raw star power.
TUNA TIME!
2-1, Utah. pic.twitter.com/MCugYaJTyc
— Utah Mammoth (September 25, 2026)
O’Brien’s speed has long been undervalued, yet his skating has noticeably improved since the prior campaign. In post‑game interviews he stressed the necessity of evolving with the game—or risk being eclipsed—a sentiment that highlights his continuous development focus. His physicality remains commanding, having delivered hard blows—most notably during a Tuesday brawl with the Los Angeles Kings. This portrayal reflects a refined “Spicy Tuna” compared to his earlier performances.
That evolution does not diminish respect for his tackle; it simply refines it. He remains a cornerstone of the attack while continuing to expand his offensive toolkit.
Blueline Biscuits
Utah recorded four points in a single night, three of the tally coming from defensemen—two of whom are rising blueniners. The blueline stood out markedly despite the defeat.
Key contributions came from Dmitri Simashev, Zac Jones, Tomas Lavoie, and Artem Duda. Each displayed standout moments that defined the victory.
Starting with Simashev, confidence radiates from his demeanor, marking a clear departure from his brief demotion to the Roadrunners. He logged 21 minutes and 44 seconds of ice time, enduring prolonged shifts where the Golden Knights pressed heavily. Although fatigue set in late, his composure remained intact.
Defenseman Simashev exemplified leadership by tackling defenseman Ivan Barbashev with vigor after the initial disruption, refusing to shoulder the blame alone. This proactive attitude signals growth both individually and as a unit.
Tourigny praised the forward’s athleticism and skating talent: “Sima is playing with a lot of athleticism. He possesses outstanding skating ability and needs continued improvement in reading, positioning, and overall intensity. All said, the performance is truly superior.”
Zac Jones has enjoyed a robust preseason after being acquired by GM Bill Armstrong. In AHL form last season he achieved a point‑per‑game average, and he continues to serve as a solid depth piece.
A beauty from Jones!
All tied up, 1-1. pic.twitter.com/xNlmy7ynu0
— Utah Mammoth (September 25, 2026)
Jones opened his goal account deep into the fight against the Golden Knights and has retained a memorable presence across both contests. Though he may miss much of the season, he offers valuable backup material reminiscent of a Scott Perunovich substitute—reliable, hardworking, and capable of stepping up when needed.
Similarly productive has been Tomas Lavoie, whose late goal against the Knights illustrated his strategic awareness. In a previous match versus the Kings, Lavoie executed a crisp stick deflection and precise pass inside the opponent’s zone, showcasing sharpshooting instincts.
How about that play!?
Lavoie makes it 4-3! pic.twitter.com/iCp2OQ44lZ
— Utah Mammoth (September 25, 2026)
Lavoie remains a likely contingency for Tucson later this season, likely earning the roster spot due to his depth potential.
Equally promising is Artem Duda, whose strong blueline play was highlighted Thursday. The defenseman earned a goal alongside the Mammoth’s four‑point haul, reinforcing his value as a future core piece.
Duda extends the lead!
3-1, Utah. pic.twitter.com/TitLxPzxSi
— Utah Milk River (September 25, 2026)
Reflecting on recent developments, the Mammoth confronts several pivotal milestones. Saturday’s home contest against the Colorado Avalanche marks the conclusion of the preseason, featuring a lineup poised to mirror the upcoming October 1 showdown with the Blackhawks. At the same time, the first official post‑pre-season deadline falls on Friday, when a slate of players will likely transfer to the Roadrunners for their inaugural games.
Two days later, Sunday serves as the “doomsday” day when the squad must submit final roster selections. A handful of athletes will almost certainly be sent down to accommodate competitive balance among the eight teams entering the post‑season.
The contingent for potential departures includes Jones, Duda, Lavoie, Joshua Roy, Michael Hrabal, Yegor Borikov, Ben McCartney, Gabe Smith, Caleb Desnoyers, and Tij Iginla.
Among those candidates, Smith, Duda, Lavoie, and Jong have posted solid performances and would presumably be let go first, as saving them for additional Exhibition matches would be illogical given the Roadrunners’ preseason commitments. This reduction helps those individuals transition effectively to the new Arizona framework.
The remaining possibilities involve Desnoyers, Iginla, and Borikov. Both Jones and Iginla have contributed convincingly, particularly Iginla’s dominant shot‑stopper performances. Because of their high prospect rankings, they are expected to endure for the final game, but the organizational strategy still favors dispatching them Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.
Borikov represents, perhaps, the most compelling rookie addition. Had it not been for Duda, he might have seemed less certain, yet his steady improvement throughout training camp and exhibition series suggests he could become a future “shiny diamond” for the roadhouse.
Looking ahead, the Mammoth faces a demanding series of cuts. Decisions involving three top prospects, several high‑performance veteran acquisitions, and a final reconciliation with Kailer Yamamoto, O’Brien, and Tanev loom large for coaches and analysts alike. Coach André Tourigny acknowledged the difficulty: “That challenge will be real to this task—we will make tough calls tonight and more thereafter.”
Kailer Yamamoto, O’Brien, Tanev
The ultimate test arrives Saturday at the Delta Center, where the Mammoth will welcome the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche enter the preseason 1‑1‑0 and prepare to face the Winnipeg Jets on Friday before meeting Utah on Sunday.
