Mammoth Sign Artem Duda To Two-Year Extension

According to a team announcement, the Utah Mammoth have signed defenseman Artem Duda to a two-year, $1.85MM ($925K AAV) extension. Duda’s three-year, $2.85MM ($950K AAV) entry-level contract is set to expire at the end of the 2026-27 season.

Duda, 22, was recently recalled by the Mammoth on October 20th. Unfortunately, Duda did not make his NHL debut against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Still, he may be in the lineup for the Mammoth’s upcoming contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow evening.

The Russian defenseman is currently serving as an injury replacement for John Marino, who is out with an upper-body injury. The Mammoth selected Duda with the 36th overall pick (second-round) of the 2022 NHL Draft.

Despite playing professionally in Russia, Duda enjoyed a one-year stint at Toronto Metropolitan University for the 2023-24 campaign, scoring two goals and seven points in 12 games.

Since then, Duda as played professionally for the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners. A prototypical two-way defenseman, Duda has scored nine goals and 45 points in 103 games with a +28 rating since debuting with the Roadunners in the 2024-25 campaign.

Although he may never turn into a top-four option, Duda could be a serviceable option in Utah’s bottom pair for years to come. As is the case for many young players, injuries could get in the way of his development.

Last season, Duda suffered two significant injuries, limiting him to just 27 games. Hopefully, for his and Utah’s sake, he can have a clean bill of health, and progress into the defenseman the Mammoth believe he can become.