What to Expect from the Newest Utah Mammoth Star This Season

With Peterka on board, it is easy for Mammoth fans to be excited for the 2025-26 campaign. The 23-year-old winger joins a forward group that already includes Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther. In his third NHL season, Peterka had a career high of 68 points in 77 games, which was tied for second on Buffalo.

The German forward will undoubtedly slot into a top-six role and the power play, but it is unknown if he will be on the first line. Peterka started training camp with Cooley and Guenther. 

Offensive Production 

A forward’s role in the offensive zone is to produce as many goals or scoring opportunities as possible. Peterka will have that responsibility as one of Utah’s top players. He will also have a good supporting cast, so it will not just be Peterka carrying the team on offence. By sharing the workload, Utah’s forwards will create more opportunities for each other, increasing their overall effectiveness and making them a tougher team to defend against. 

He is a threat in many situations, especially at even strength. Peterka scored 21 of his 27 goals while play was at 5-on-5. Though he is more of a playmaker, Peterka still has the ability to shoot the puck. He had 41 assists last year. Peterka had fewer shots on goal and shot attempts in 2024 compared to 2023. 

If all goes as planned, expect Peterka to eclipse the 70-point mark, setting a new career high. His continued growth and consistency will be important as Peterka looks to establish himself as a star in the NHL. 

Adapting to Utah’s System Could Take Time

While Peterka is an excellent player, it will take time for him to integrate into head coach Andre Tourigny’s system. First off, there is always an adjustment period when a player transitions to a new team. Especially when moving about 1,900 miles west. It will be crucial for Peterka to build chemistry with his new teammates and gain a deeper understanding of Utah’s overall gameplan, something that likely will not happen overnight. 

In addition, Peterka will need to learn how to play defence. He already has offensive upside, but can struggle defensively at times. Peterka ranked in the fourth percentile in even strength defence. Having talent is one thing, but every player should also be capable of playing smart, two-way hockey. Developing a more disciplined and responsible approach will help Peterka become a more complete player. 

Once he meshes with his new teammates and Utah’s style, Peterka and the Mammoth could be in a great position for success.