After stating their intent to place netminder Connor Ingram on waivers, speculation arose whether the Utah Mammoth would have a competition for their backup role between Vítek Vaněček, Jaxson Stauber, and Matt Villalta, or pursue the recently reinstated Carter Hart once he’s eligible to sign on October 15th. We now know it won’t be the latter.
On yesterday’s edition of The Chris Johnston Show with TSN’s Chris Johnston, the insider indicated that although the Mammoth had internal conversations regarding Hart, it’s not something they’ll be pursuing over the next few weeks. Multiple reports suggest that Hart’s preference is to sign with a U.S.-based franchise, and the list of hypothetical options has continued to shrink.
Outside of Ingram and Karel Vejmelka, Vaněček is the only other netminder in Utah signed on a one-way contract. Still, he may not be a lock quite yet after a disastrous 2024-25 campaign. Split between the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers, Vaněček managed a 5-14-4 record in 25 games with a .884 SV%, 3.62 GAA, and -11.5 Goals Saved Above Average.
Additional morning notes:
- The Washington Capitals are without defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk today, and could be for the next few days. According to Sammi Silber of DC Backcheck, van Riemsdyk will miss today’s skate due to personal matters, most likely correlated to him and his wife expecting a child soon. The exciting news is likely the reason behind his older brother, James van Riemsdyk, being absent from the Detroit Red Wings’ training camp yesterday.
- Last trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs sent a 2027 first-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for center Scott Laughton, only to see the veteran score two goals and four points in 20 games, with another two assists in 13 playoff contests. In a recent interview with David Alter of The Hockey News, Laughton recognized his poor play last season and is coming into the 2025-26 campaign more inspired to contribute, saying, “I need to be able to contribute offensively and create that way and help out some of those top guys.“
TVRJR.