Mammoth Recall Dmitri Simashev

The Mammoth have added some extra defensive depth heading into their game today against Vancouver.  According to the AHL’s transactions log, Utah has recalled blueliner Dmitri Simashev from AHL Tucson.

This will be Simashev’s sixth stint with the Mammoth this season, his first in North America.  The 21-year-old was the sixth overall pick back in 2023 and broke camp with Utah, spending the better part of two months with the team and playing in 24 games.  In his four subsequent recalls before this one, he suited up just once.  On the season, he has just one assist in those 25 outings along with 26 blocked shots in 15:21 of ice time per contest as the team has tried to shelter him somewhat.

That hasn’t been the case in the minors.  With the Roadrunners, he has been an all-situations player and has been quite productive, tallying eight goals and 27 assists in just 40 games.  Despite missing 25 games there this season, he sits third among all rookie defensemen in points and is tied for 13th overall among all blueliners.

Utah already had seven defenders on the roster so unless there are two players whose availability for today’s game is in question, Simashev’s recall will count against the Mammoth’s post-deadline limit of five.  Between that and the fact that the Roadrunners are currently out of a playoff spot in the minors, Simashev’s recall could be for the rest of the season and playoffs.  Given the role he has thrived in with Tucson, it will be interesting to see if Simashev gets a chance to play a bigger role in Utah or if he’ll continue to be a depth option for them.