Vanessa: Vincent Trocheck is here. Anders Lee is in town. And suddenly, every forward spot on this Utah Mammoth roster feels like it’s up for grabs.
Nick: It really does. We talked about the acquisitions last week, but today we’re going deeper into the actual battles happening right now in camp.
Vanessa: Welcome to Beatline, America’s number one daily sports podcast network! I’m Vanessa, and I’m joined by my favorite analyst, Nick.
Nick: Hey everyone. Good to be back.
Vanessa: Today is all about roster battles. First, we’ll tackle the biggest center competition in the NHL right now. Then, we’ll look at the left wing logjam with Anders Lee and Lawson Crouse. Finally, we’ll predict who makes the opening night roster against Chicago on October 2nd.
Nick: And we have to address the elephant in the room: that goaltending situation. Five netminders? That’s a lot of bodies fighting for two spots.
Vanessa: Let’s dive in. Segment One: The Center Ice Battle.
Vanessa: So, Vincent Trocheck has been acquired from the Rangers. He’s a proven top-six center. But you’ve got Logan Cooley, your young star, sitting there looking at his ice time.
Nick: Right. And then there’s Barrett Hayton, who just signed that one-year, $4.775 million deal after matching the Devils' offer sheet. So now you have three legitimate top-six centers competing for two spots, with Nick Schmaltz also in the mix.
Vanessa: It’s insane depth. Where do you see Trocheck fitting in initially?
Nick: I think he starts on the second line, paired with Dylan Guenther or Clayton Keller. Trocheck is a power-play specialist. His ability to quarterback the PP is exactly what Steve Yzerman was looking for when he said the Mammoth are "failing up" with their bold moves.
Vanessa: But what about Cooley? Does he get pushed down to third line?
Nick: I don’t think so. Cooley is too talented. I think you keep him on the first line, maybe shift him to wing temporarily to accommodate Trocheck, or you go with a four-line approach where everyone plays significant minutes. But if I had to bet, Cooley stays center. He’s the future.
Vanessa: So, Trocheck on the second, Cooley on the first. What happens to Hayton?
Nick: Hayton is the odd man out in terms of pure talent, but he’s smart. He knows his role. He’s not going to win the job over Cooley or Trocheck. He’ll likely start on the fourth line, providing energy and defensive responsibility.
Vanessa: And Jack McBain? Cameron Hebig? They’re on the roster too.
Nick: McBain is a veteran presence. He’s probably the backup center behind Hayton. Hebig is the rookie who needs to impress in training camp. If he doesn’t stand out, he might be sent down to the AHL.
Vanessa: Okay, so the battle is set. Now, let’s talk about the support appeal. This is how you help us keep the show free and daily.
Nick: Every coffee helps cover the cost of our daily research, the editing hours, and keeping the feed running without interruption. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference.
Vanessa: If you want to chip in and help us keep bringing you these deep dives, please check out the link in the episode description. We appreciate you more than you know.
Nick: Thanks for listening. Now, let’s get back to the battles.
Vanessa: Segment Two: The Left Wing Logjam. Anders Lee is here. Lawson Crouse is here. Michael Carcone is here. Andrew Agozzino is here. Who gets the ice time?
Nick: This is the most crowded position group on the team. Anders Lee is the captain. He’s a leader. He’s going to play. Period.
Vanessa: But he’s coming off injuries. Can he handle the full workload?
Nick: That’s the question. Lee is best used as a top-nine winger. He’s great on the penalty kill and in front of the net. But you can’t rely on him for 20 minutes a night right now.
Vanessa: So who complements him? Lawson Crouse?
Nick: Crouse is the perfect fit. He’s physical, he forechecks hard, and he can score. He and Lee would form a scary duo on the second line. Crouse brings the grit, Lee brings the experience.
Vanessa: What about Michael Carcone? He’s been a solid contributor in the past.
Nick: Carcone is the versatile guy. He can play both wings. He’s probably the fourth line winger, providing speed and defensive awareness. He’s not going to beat out Crouse or Lee for top-nine minutes, but he’s essential for depth.
Vanessa: And Brandon Tanev? He’s known for his defensive play.
Nick: Tanev is the ultimate grinder. He’s going to be on the fourth line, killing penalties, and playing against other teams’ top lines. He’s not going to score many goals, but he’s invaluable for a team like Utah that wants to be tough.
Vanessa: So, Lee and Crouse on the second line. Carcone and Tanev on the bottom two. What about Daniil But and Ben McCartney?
Nick: They’re the prospects. But is a raw talent who needs development. McCartney is a physical player who might need to prove he can stay healthy. Both are likely starting in the AHL unless they wow the coaches in camp.
Vanessa: It’s a lot of competition. I love it.
Vanessa: Segment Three: Roster Cut Predictions. Who’s trending up? Who’s trending down? Let’s start with the goalies.
Nick: Five goalies. Karel Vejmelka, Michael Hrabal, Jaxson Stauber, Anson Thornton, Colten McIntyre. This is a mess.
Vanessa: Who’s the starter?
Nick: Vejmelka has the most experience. He’s the likely starter. Hrabal is the backup. Stauber, Thornton, and McIntyre are fighting for the fourth spot, which is basically an AHL spot.
Vanessa: Who’s trending up among the defensemen?
Nick: John Marino. Just signed that eight-year, $54 million extension. He’s the anchor. MacKenzie Weegar is also trending up. He’s a power-play quarterback. Sergachev, Schmidt, Peeke, Goldsmith, Lamoureux, Simashev... that’s nine defensemen. Someone has to go.
Vanessa: Who goes?
Nick: Dmitri Simashev. He’s a rookie. He needs more development. He’s likely the one getting sent down to the AHL to start the season.
Vanessa: And among the forwards? Who’s the surprise breakout candidate?
Nick: Dylan Guenther. We’ve talked about him before. He’s got the speed, the skill, and now he’s playing with Trocheck on the power play. He’s going to put up points.
Vanessa: Agreed. Guenther is the guy. What about Barrett Hayton? Is he trending up or down?
Nick: He’s stable. He secured his job with that contract. He’s not trending up, but he’s not trending down either. He’s a reliable fourth-liner.
Vanessa: Okay, final thoughts. Who wins the season opener against Chicago?
Nick: The Mammoth. I still stand by my prediction: Utah beats Chicago 4-2. The new additions will make the difference.
Vanessa: There you have it. Trocheck takes the second line, Lee anchors the left wing, and Guenther is ready to break out. Subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen!
Nick: See you next time. Go Mammoth.