Utah Mammoth Sign Russian Prospects Simashev, But Ahead Playoff Bid

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) Final ended dramatically with Max Shalunov scoring an overtime winner for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, marking the franchise's first KHL championship and the end of Dmitri Simashev and Daniil But's KHL careers as they signed with the NHL's Utah Mammoth, highlighting the team's significant roster additions under GM Bill Armstrong. The Utah Mammoth's inaugural season concluded with a solid record, and prospects like Cole Beaudoin showed promising development, contributing to Canada's gold medal in the U18 World Championship and demonstrating potential despite some skating concerns. Meanwhile, Buffalo Sabres' Jack Quinn experienced a season of two halves, struggling early but showing signs of resurgence post-injury, though the team overall faced disappointment. The Minnesota Wild evaluated players Devin Shore and Marat Khusnutdinov, noting Shore's effective defensive play despite limited scoring and Khusnutdinov's modest impact before being traded. Complementing these developments, the Prime Video docuseries 'Faceoff: Inside the NHL' returns for a second season with broader coverage, featuring stars like Sidney Crosby and the Tkachuk brothers, offering fans an intimate look at the league's top talent and playoff intensity.