"The NHL technically considers the Utah Mammoth an "expansion team" even though for all intents and purposes they are the relocated Arizona Coyotes. So technically this "expansion team" is entering its second season. The last NHL expansion team the Seattle Kraken also made the playoffs in their second season. In 2022-2023 the Kraken finished with a record of 46-28-8 for 100 points. As their broadcasters said during the playoff clinching win they rose from the depths of the Pacific Division to the playoffs."
"The Kraken decided to build their team "the old fashioned" way through patience and developing draft prospects instead of looking for instant success like the Vegas Golden Knights. That's what made their 100 point season and a playoff berth all the more unexpected. Meanwhile the Mammoth basically inherited a team that had been being built for years and was loaded with young talent. Shouldn't they be ahead of where the Kraken where when they pass the pole of their sophomore season?"
"The team's first in Utah was a step in the right direction as they had their first winning record since the then Coyotes in the 2019-2020 season that ended up being shortened. The then Utah Hockey Club's 38-31-12 record for 89 points was good enough for sixth in the Pacific Division. Yet it was still seven points behind the St. Louis Blues for the final Western Conference Wild card."
The NHL considers the Utah Mammoth an expansion team despite the franchise's relocation from Arizona, making the upcoming season its technical second. The Seattle Kraken reached the playoffs in their second season after patient roster building and a 46-28-8, 100-point campaign. The Mammoth inherited a roster stocked with young talent and enter Year Two with a renovated arena, a new name, and an energized fan base. Utah posted its first winning record since 2019-2020, going 38-31-12 for 89 points and finishing sixth in the Pacific Division. The team finished seven points behind the final Western Conference wild card.
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