Utah Mammoth left wing Daniil But (19) moves the puck against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Cody Ceci (5) during the second period of an NHL preseason game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 (Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News).
(Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Looking to bounce back in their second game of the preseason, the Utah Mammoth’s stars shined in Los Angeles with a comfortable win over the Kings.
Receiving stellar performances from the likes of Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Anders Lee and Daniil But, Utah played the brand of hockey the coaching staff was looking for as they secured a 6-3 victory in LA.
Featuring the deepest forward group head coach Andre Tourigny has overseen during his tenure, coupled with a collection of prospects knocking on the door of being NHL ready, this is by far the most competitive training camp the Utah Mammoth have ever experienced.
But despite the fierce competition and an uphill battle for any player on the outside looking in, each of the prospects have declared they feel ready.
On Tuesday night against Los Angeles, Daniil But may have proved that he is in fact ready as the 21-year-old was simply all over the ice through all three periods.
Playing alongside Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller on the top line, But seized a golden opportunity to skate with premier talent.
“Today, we played together, like a team,” Daniil But said. “We were playing with space and speed, and it helped us win.”
After a forgetful performance in the first preseason game against Colorado, No. 50 did exactly what the coaches asked him to do.
Tourigny and But having a long chat after morning skate.
Big opportunity for 50 to play with 8 & 9 tonight. pic.twitter.com/a4hZcjKRBf
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 22, 2026
“I want But to be the player he can be,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said. “I want him to have physicality, to drive at the net, to be on the right side of the puck and to be relentless on pucks…we think, because he has that talent and he’s stronger and faster than last year, the offense will come.”
“Last game, he was chasing it a little bit too much. He needs to get back to being the great player that he is.”
Against the Kings, that’s exactly what But did as he was ferocious on the forecheck, won puck battles, generated scoring chances, screened the goaltender and made all the right reads to finish the night with a goal, an assist and a plus/minus of plus three.
Great stuff from But here.
Pucks in deep, winning battles, reloading, screening the goaltender and then a beautiful redirect.
That’s going to make the coaches think. pic.twitter.com/OOLxzacSbI
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 23, 2026
Gorgeous snipe by the Captain but all made possible by 50.
Battles in the corner, goes to the net, screens the netminder again, and then gets out of the way to let the shot through.
50 is proving something tonight. pic.twitter.com/mnlNCBAb5V
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 23, 2026
72 gets his first.
50 making a case that he should be on that opening night roster. pic.twitter.com/qK8WB5rXov
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 23, 2026
As Tourigny pointed out, But didn’t have enough confidence when he played for the Mammoth last year.
He was timid, refused to be relentless, struggled to capitalize and eventually ended up back in Tucson as a result.
However, against LA, But was the player this organization has been preaching he can be.
“I want to show that I’m ready for the NHL,” But told KSL Sports. “I’m trying to use my power to win battles, go to the net, my shot, scoring goals.”
“Way more [confidence] than last [year] to be honest.”
Standing 6-foot-5, his game needs to be all about power, driving at the net with or without the puck, screening the goaltender and scoring goals.
The key for him moving forward, especially if he wants to see his name on the opening night roster, will be producing that type of a performance as often as possible.
If so, he’ll steal a spot this season and will have an opportunity to make a big difference in a Mammoth sweater for years to come.
In addition to But’s stellar performance, the top two lines as a whole we’re pretty spectacular against the Kings on Tuesday night as they gave Mammoth fans a preview of what’s to come.
Keller and Schmaltz picked up right where they left off with a goal apiece while newcomer Anders Lee made a strong impression as he scored twice in his preseason debut alongside Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther.
Empty netter for Lee!
6-3, Utah. pic.twitter.com/qPpEuoGjUK
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) September 23, 2026
Notably, MacKenzie Weegar delivered on his media day promise of being more offensive minded as he finished the game with two assists.
Now, while it may only be a preseason game, these are the kind of performances and results the Mammoth envisioned this offseason when they started making moves.
Getting bigger, stronger, and more difficult to play against which is exactly how they were able to dethrone the Kings, 6-3.
The Utah Mammoth will face the Vegas Golden Knights in their third preseason matchup on Thursday night at 8 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on SEG+.
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. Follow him on X. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
