Utah’s preseason win makes one thing abundantly clear

The Utah Mammoth defeated the Los Angeles Kings 6-3 in their preseason opener on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena, establishing a clear message about the team's potential. The game was marked by intense physicality, with 54 penalty minutes combined between the two teams. Andrew Peeke, making his debut with the Mammoth, was a standout performer, receiving a significant number of fighting majors and drawing the attention of head coach André Tourigny who praised his impact.

However, the most notable player of the night was Daniil But, a power forward who showed great promise by scoring a goal and an assist, and being heavily involved in Utah's first four goals. His defensive skills and ability to create scoring opportunities made him a strategic asset for the team. Despite past struggles at the NHL level, But seemed to have found his footing, scoring and contributing significantly to the team's success.

His performance could be a game-changer for the Mammoth, especially considering his contract includes a European assignment clause, making his NHL potential crucial for the team's future.