The Utah Mammoth announced they’ve signed their prime protection prospect, 2023 sixth total choose Dmitri Simashev, to a three-year entry-level contract. Monetary phrases weren’t disclosed.
Simashev was technically chosen by the Coyotes two years in the past however had his signing rights transferred to Utah when Arizona’s hockey operations belongings have been offered to Smith Leisure Group final summer time to determine the Mammoth franchise. A 6’5″, 207-lb stay-at-home defender, he was widely expected to sign his entry-level deal with Utah shortly after his season in his native Russia ended.
This season was his second full skilled marketing campaign with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League, and it resulted in a Gagarin Cup championship for the 20-year-old. He was a bottom-pairing fixture for Lokomotiv, averaging slightly below 16 minutes per sport within the common season, and suited up in all 21 postseason contests for them whereas recording one help and a minus-one ranking.
Whereas Simashev could have a future in Salt Lake as a high-end shutdown piece within the top-four, he doesn’t have the offensive upside we’ve come to anticipate out of defensemen chosen that top within the draft. Over the past two common seasons in Yaroslavl, he’s been restricted to a 5-6–11 scoring line in 122 video games. His +19 ranking throughout that point is promising, although, particularly contemplating his restricted minutes.
In his 2025 prospect pool rankings, The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler labeled Simashev because the second-best prospect in Utah’s system and referred to as him “a possible top-four defenseman who can play minutes and drive outcomes together with his defensive play, size and skating.” Whether or not the lefty makes the fast soar to the NHL subsequent season stays to be seen – however at his peak, he’s possible averaging north of 20 minutes per sport for the Mammoth with heavy penalty-kill deployment.
At first look, it appears possible he’ll begin his skilled profession in North America with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners. The Mammoth have their left facet on protection locked in for subsequent season with Mikhail Sergachev, Olli Maatta and Ian Cole, with Juuso Valimaki nonetheless within the combine as a possible wholesome further as effectively. Cole and Valimaki are slated for unrestricted free company in 2026, although, paving the way in which for Simashev to graduate to full-time NHL minutes a yr from now after a season of adjustment within the minors.
“It feels wonderful. I had a purpose to win the Gagarin Cup after which go to the NHL and attempt to be the most effective participant I will be,” Simashev advised Utah freelance beat writer Craig Morgan. “I watched highlights of each Utah sport. I do know each participant in Utah and the way they play. Coming to Utah, for me, it’s mainly like a dream.”
Simashev is just too previous to be slide-eligible, so his deal goes into impact subsequent season no matter what number of NHL video games he performs. He’ll be a restricted free agent following the 2027-28 marketing campaign.
