Mammoth GM talks growth, grit, belief as Utah hunts a playoff spot

Utah Mammoth are making their mark in the Western Conference playoff race.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 11:47pm

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For the first time since 2014, NHL players are headed to the Winter Olympics. But before the break, the Utah Mammoth are making their mark in the Western Conference playoff race. General Manager Bill Armstrong discusses the team's electric January homestand, the playoff chase, trade deadline strategy, and how the Olympics might make his players even better.

Why it matters

The Mammoth are in the thick of the Western Conference wild-card hunt, which is significant progress for the team. Armstrong's comments provide insight into the team's growth, confidence, and plans as they push for a playoff spot.

The details

The Mammoth have been a better and more mature team this season, with goaltender Karel Vejmelka solidifying the starting role and the team adding depth through trades. Armstrong believes the new practice facility has been a major boost, giving the players and staff a reason to be excited about coming to work. The GM is focused on long-term gains rather than short-term rentals, and he's excited about his players' opportunity to compete in the Olympics, believing it will make them better hockey players in the long run.

  • The NHL trade deadline is on March 6, 2026.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place during the NHL season.

The players

Bill Armstrong

The General Manager of the Utah Mammoth.

Nick Schmaltz

A free agent player for the Utah Mammoth who has played great this season.

Karel Vejmelka

The Mammoth's starting goaltender who has taken over the number-one spot.

JJ Peterka

A player the Mammoth acquired via trade to add to their top six forwards.

Jeff Rhineer

The host of the Inside Utah Mammoth show who interviewed Bill Armstrong.

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What they’re saying

“Well, we're a year older. I think there's more maturity. I think we're a better team. There's still some room for growth, but I do think that more things have been established.”

— Bill Armstrong, General Manager

“It's unbelievable. I couldn't put it into words if I tried. It's the greatest place to come to work — from the views of the mountains behind us to the facility itself. It's given our players, and us, a reason to come to work and be excited about being a Mammoth.”

— Bill Armstrong, General Manager

“I think as you go through the process as a GM, there are different points of the season where you deal with your guys. As I said at the start of the year, the year before we got Guenther done. This year, we got Cooley done early in the season. Now we're going through the process of evaluating some players that are free agents — are we bringing them back, or are we not?”

— Bill Armstrong, General Manager

“You hold your breath as a GM, just for injury purposes, with some of your top players going over there. I also feel there's a goodness that comes from it — they're going to be around some really great leaders and some really great players. They're going to learn a little bit about how to play with those great players under huge amounts of pressure in the Olympics, and they're going to grow.”

— Bill Armstrong, General Manager

“We need to play big in the big moments. That's the biggest thing — we're going to come down the stretch and play to get in. Right now, it's set up so every game has been like Game 7 since we started. I want to see our team be at its best. I want to see our team come in every day, get better, and keep improving so we're playing our best hockey when the playoffs start.”

— Bill Armstrong, General Manager

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.