3 questions facing Utah Mammoth

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the Utah Mammoth.

1. Will Logan Cooley break out?

Cooley has shown glimpses of his potential in his first three seasons with 152 points (69 goals, 83 assists) in 211 games since being selected in the first round (No. 3) of the 2022 NHL Draft. The 22-year-old forward is still looking to fully arrive, though.

After Cooley had 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) in 82 games as a rookie in 2023-24, he had 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) in 75 games the following season. Last season, he was limited to 54 games because of a lower-body injury sustained Dec. 5 and was seventh on the Mammoth with 43 points (24 goals, 19 assists).

This could be Cooley's best chance at reaching the next level. That's especially true with the addition of Vincent Trocheck, a fellow native of Pittsburgh.

"We skate together in the summer, so we'd always just kind of fantasize a little bit about what it'd be like to play together," Trocheck said. "I got to watch him kind of grow up from a young age and watch him grow into a spectacular hockey player. It's exciting.

"I watched him when he was 12. He was skating with us and making me look bad. He still does that now."

2. Can Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee help lead?

The Mammoth were slightly above average in most ways last season. They scored 3.27 goals per game and allowed 2.93 per game, each tied for 10th in the NHL. That was good enough to get them into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the first wild card from the Western Conference.

They're looking for more. The hope is that Trocheck and Lee, two veteran forwards, can add presence to a group primarily led by young stars.

Trocheck, 33, waived the no-trade clause in his contract to approve a move from the New York Rangers on July 1. Lee, 36, signed a three-year, $16.2 million contract (average annual value of $5.4 million) with Utah on July 1 after playing his first 14 seasons for the New York Islanders.

"First, with Anders Lee, No. 1, I think he's been a great captain in the National Hockey League," Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said. "We were blown away, to be honest with you, that we would have the ability today to walk out of today with a player like that. 

"Vincent Trocheck, another ultimate teammate. A guy that's a glue guy. He'll do anything for his teammates."

They also have something to prove. The last time Trocheck and Lee were in the postseason was 2024. Neither has reached the Stanley Cup Final.

3. Is Sebastian Cossa the answer in net?

Cossa, a highly touted goalie prospect, was acquired in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings on June 26 for a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He then signed a two-year, $4 million contract ($2 million AAV) with the Mammoth on June 30.

The 23-year-old is almost guaranteed a spot on the NHL roster after goalie Vitek Vanecek signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Islanders on July 1.

Karel Vejmelka will likely begin the season as the primary starter. He was 38-20-3 with a 2.75 goals-against average and .896 save percentage in 64 games (63 starts) last season but lost four of six starts against the Vegas Golden Knights in Western Conference First Round, allowing 14 combined goals in the final three games.

Cossa was 70-33-18 with a 2.46 GAA, .911 save percentage and eight shutouts in four seasons with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League. He's played one game in the NHL, making 12 saves on 14 shots for the Red Wings in a 6-5 shootout win against the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 9, 2024.

There should be more opportunity this season, maybe enough to force a battle with Vejmelka.