Vanessa: Roster battles, lineup locks, and one giant logjam at center ice. The Utah Mammoth have more talent than spots, and somebody's going to be watching from the press box. I'm Vanessa, and this is the Beatline Podcast.
Nick: And I'm Nick. We're talking about a good problem to have, but it's still a problem. Let's get into it.
Vanessa: Welcome back, Mammoth fans! We're a few weeks away from opening night against Chicago, and today we're breaking down the three biggest roster battles that will define this team's identity.
Nick: First, the center ice logjam. Then we'll look at the backup goalie situation and the blue line competition. And finally, we'll predict who makes the final cut and who's heading to the minors.
Vanessa: Stick with us, because we're about to drop some hot takes that'll have you arguing at the water cooler tomorrow.
Vanessa: Alright Nick, let's start with the elephant in the room. The Mammoth have nine centers on the roster. That's not a typo. Nine. How do you even begin to sort that out?
Nick: It's insane. You've got Logan Cooley, Barrett Hayton, Nick Schmaltz, Vincent Trocheck, and then a bunch of guys who can play center or wing. The coaching staff has some serious decisions to make.
Vanessa: Let's start with the top line. Is Cooley the clear-cut 1C, or does Trocheck's experience and playoff pedigree give him the edge?
Nick: Cooley is the future, no doubt. He's got that elite offensive skill, the vision, the skating. But Trocheck was brought in specifically to win faceoffs and play a 200-foot game. I think you start with Cooley at 1C and let Trocheck anchor the second line.
Vanessa: That makes sense. But then where does Hayton fit? He just signed that one-year, $4.775 million deal after the offer sheet drama. He's not going to be happy playing fourth line minutes.
Nick: Exactly. Hayton's a proven two-way guy, and he's gonna get his opportunities. But the reality is, with Trocheck and Cooley ahead of him, he might be bumped to the wing. We saw him play wing a bit last year, and he can do it.
Vanessa: So you're saying we could see a top six of Cooley, Keller, Guenther... and then Trocheck, Lee, and Hayton? That's a solid one-two punch.
Nick: Yeah, and that's not even mentioning Nick Schmaltz. He's been a consistent producer for this team. He could easily slot in on the second or third line and provide scoring depth. This is a good problem to have, but someone's going to be the odd man out.
Vanessa: And that's the thing. You can't have nine guys playing center. Someone's going to have to move to the wing, or someone's going to be traded. Do you think we see a trade before the season starts?
Nick: I wouldn't be surprised. The front office has been active all summer, and they know they need to balance the roster. But for now, it's a competition. And I love it.
Vanessa: Alright, let's get specific. Who wins the top line matchup against Chicago on October 2nd? Cooley or Trocheck?
Nick: I'm going with Cooley. He's the future, and opening night is about making a statement. You put your best offensive players out there, and that's Cooley, Keller, and Guenther.
Vanessa: I can get behind that. But I gotta say, Trocheck's faceoff ability is going to be huge on the road. We'll see how it plays out.
Nick: It's a great problem to have. And honestly, whoever draws that top line assignment, the Blackhawks are going to have their hands full.
Vanessa: Okay, let's move on to the next battle. The backup goalie spot behind Karel Vejmelka. We've got Jaxson Stauber, Michael Hrabal, Colten McIntyre, and Anson Thornton all in camp. Who's got the edge?
Nick: This is a fascinating one. Vejmelka is the clear starter, no question. But the backup job is wide open. Stauber has the most NHL experience, and he's been solid when called upon. Hrabal is the prospect of the future, but he might need more seasoning in the AHL.
Vanessa: So you're saying Stauber is the safe pick? What about McIntyre? He had a strong season in the minors last year.
Nick: McIntyre is a sleeper. He's big, athletic, and he's been impressing in camp. But Stauber's experience gives him the edge. He's been there, done that, and he knows how to handle the backup role.
Vanessa: Alright, so Stauber for now, but Hrabal is knocking on the door. Got it. Now, let's talk about the blue line. We've got a lot of bodies there too. Sergachev, Marino, Weegar, Peeke, Schmidt, Simashev, Lamoureux, DeSimone, Goldsmith. That's a crowd.
Nick: The top four is pretty set: Sergachev, Marino, Weegar, and Peeke. But the bottom pairing is up for grabs. Schmidt brings veteran stability, Simashev has the highest upside, and Lamoureux is a big, physical presence. It's going to be a battle.
Vanessa: I think Simashev is going to force his way onto the roster. He's been turning heads in camp with his skating and offensive instincts. And with Marino locked up long-term, the future is bright on the back end.
Nick: I agree. Simashev is the future. But you have to be careful with young defensemen. You don't want to rush him. Maybe he starts with a limited role and earns more ice time as the season goes on.
Vanessa: Alright, so we've got the center logjam, the goalie battle, and the D competition. Let's take a quick break, but when we come back, we're making our final cut predictions. Who's in, who's out, and who's trending up or down. Stick with us.
Vanessa: We're back, and now it's time to get into the nitty-gritty. Nick, let's talk about the wing positions. We've got a lot of guys competing for spots on the left and right side. Who's a lock, and who's on the bubble?
Nick: On the right, Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther are locks. They're your top two RW, no question. Kailer Yamamoto and Joshua Roy are competing for that third-line role. Yamamoto has the experience, but Roy has the size and the shot.
Vanessa: I like Roy's upside. He's a big body who can score. And he's been impressive in camp. I think he edges out Yamamoto for that spot.
Nick: Maybe. But Yamamoto is a proven NHLer, and he's a great penalty killer. That could be the tiebreaker. And on the left, you've got Anders Lee, Lawson Crouse, Brandon Tanev, and a bunch of others. Lee and Crouse are locks. Tanev brings speed and grit, so he's probably in too.
Vanessa: So that leaves guys like Daniil But, Michael Carcone, Ben McCartney, and Andrew Agozzino fighting for maybe one or two spots. That's tough.
Nick: But is a young prospect with top-six potential. He might need more time in the AHL, but he's knocking on the door. Carcone is a versatile energy guy who can play anywhere in the lineup. It's a close call.
Vanessa: Alright, let's shift focus to the bottom six. With all these centers, some of them are going to have to move to the wing. How do you see the fourth line shaking out?
Nick: I think you see a guy like Jack McBain or Liam O'Brien on the fourth line, bringing size and physicality. Kevin Rooney is another option. And you've got Kevin Stenlund, who's a solid penalty killer. It's a battle of the grinders.
Vanessa: So who's the odd man out? There's going to be a couple of guys who don't make the opening night roster, right?
Nick: Absolutely. And that's the hard part. You've got too many NHL-caliber players. Someone's going to be traded, or someone's going to be waived. It's a numbers game.
Vanessa: Let's talk about the special teams implication. With all these new faces, who's on the power play and who's on the penalty kill?
Nick: The power play is going to feature Keller, Cooley, Guenther, and probably Trocheck at the point. Marino and Sergachev are also options. The penalty kill is where you see guys like Crouse, Tanev, and Hayton. That's where the depth matters.
Vanessa: So it's not just about even-strength production. You have to be valuable in all situations. That's what's going to separate the guys who make the team from the guys who don't.
Nick: Exactly. And that's why a guy like Tanev is so valuable. He might not score 20 goals, but he's a difference-maker on the penalty kill and he brings energy every shift.
Vanessa: Alright, we've talked about the battles. Now it's time to make some predictions. We're going to predict the final roster cuts and name who's trending up and down. Stick with us.
Vanessa: Alright Nick, time to put your money where your mouth is. Give me your biggest surprise cut for opening night.
Nick: I think the surprise cut is going to be Kailer Yamamoto. He's a veteran, but with the influx of young talent like Joshua Roy and Daniil But pushing for spots, he might be the odd man out. He could be claimed on waivers.
Vanessa: Wow, that's a bold take. But I can see it. The game is getting younger and faster, and Yamamoto might not fit the new mold. Who's trending up in your book?
Nick: Joshua Roy is trending up big time. He's been the talk of camp, and I think he secures a top-nine role. Also, Dmitri Simashev. He's going to force his way onto the roster and maybe even get some power play time.
Vanessa: I love that. And who's trending down? Besides Yamamoto?
Nick: I'd say Nick Schmaltz. With Trocheck and Hayton ahead of him, he might get bumped down the lineup. He's still a good player, but his role is shrinking. He could be a trade candidate.
Vanessa: That's a hot take. Schmaltz has been a consistent producer for this team. But you're right, the depth is pushing him down. Alright, let's make some final predictions for the season opener against Chicago.
Nick: We've been saying it all week, and we're sticking with it: Mammoth win 4-2. Cooley gets a goal and an assist, and Vejmelka stands on his head.
Vanessa: I'll take that. And I'm going to add a bold prediction: Anders Lee scores on his debut. He's a natural finisher, and playing with Trocheck is going to give him tons of chances.
Nick: I like that. Lee is going to be a fan favorite in Utah. He's a leader, and he's going to bring that Islanders mentality to this team.
Vanessa: Alright, before we wrap up, let's talk about the big picture. We've been saying the Mammoth are going to finish with 104 points and second in the Central Division. Do these roster battles change that prediction?
Nick: Not at all. If anything, the depth makes me more confident. This team is built to withstand injuries and slumps. The Central is tough, but the Mammoth have the pieces to compete.
Vanessa: Well, there you have it. Roster battles are heating up, and the season can't come soon enough. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review, and share this episode with your fellow Mammoth fans.
Vanessa: And as always, go Mammoth! We'll see you at the Delta Center on October 2nd. Let's open the season right. Go Mammoth!