Earlier this afternoon the Utah Mammoth announced that Daniil But, Ben McCartney, Dmitri Simashev, Matt Villalta, and Maveric Lamoureux have been recalled from their AHL affiliate the Tucson Roadrunners. As NHL teams return to practice today, several clubs have added players to have the opportunity to skate with the big club this week while the Olympics come to a conclusion.
All bring NHL experience to the table, with But, Simashev, and Lamoureux standing out as top prospects chosen in the first round.
But is in his first North American season, coming over from the KHL. At just 21, he was reassigned prior to the Olympic Break in order to get more ice time. But appeared in just one game, not finding the score sheet, but otherwise he’s been quite productive in the AHL with 17 points in 20 games. In the NHL, the Russian forward has played a variety of roles, recording a respectable seven points in 28 games. It’s all solid production for the former 12th overall selection in 2023. At 6’5″ with a wicked shot, But is still coming along, but he has intriguing upside.
Simashev, a defenseman, stands out as the highest drafted of the bunch, sixth overall in 2023. Similar to But, he came from the Russia, as the two were teammates with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, taking home the KHL title last season. Simashev has had a great start to his North American career, with 23 points in 25 games for Tucson. That strong performance has earned 24 games with Utah this season, but the 21-year-old has just one assist. Still, he has serious top four potential.
Lamoureux also has a striking frame at 6’6″. The former 29th overall selection by the Arizona Coyotes in 2022 has 20 NHL games so far. Not surprisingly given his stature, the righty has a simple game which may lead to a more high floor, low ceiling outlook. Lamoureux has dealt with various injuries in his young career, but when healthy, he has looked the part in Tucson.
McCartney, 24, is not a prospect at this point, but the Manitoba native has carved out a nice career with the organization. Chosen in the seventh round by the Coyotes in 2020, he leads Tucson with 46 points in 47 games in 2025-26. McCartney managed to get into two NHL games as a ‘Yote in 2021-22, and is now vying to make his debut as a Mammoth at some point. As is important for any such player trying to break through into the NHL, McCartney is a relentless forechecker not afraid to get under opponents’ skin.
Villalta, a goaltender, was drafted by the Kings in 2017 before catching on with the Mammoth organization. The 26-year-old has three NHL games under his belt between the Coyotes and Mammoth, otherwise playing in the AHL. This season Villalta has split duty with Jaxson Stauber, where he has held the edge with a better record and statistics. Standing at 6’4″, he is a free agent this summer, but until then, will serve as an extra body in practice this week as #1 netminder Karel Vejmelka is representing Team Czechia.
Utah currently has one open roster spot, so in theory one of the five could stay aboard post-Milan, before the next game on February 25 against Colorado. Most likely though, the prospects, AHL top scorer, and respectable netminder will be evaluated and return to the 17th-ranked Roadrunners after the Olympics.