Top KHL defender Dmitri Simashev joins Utah Mammoth in major three-year NHL deal

The Utah Mammoth have officially signed a key component of their future blue line. On Tuesday, the organization signed Russian defenseman Dmitri Simashev to a three-year, entry-level agreement, one of the NHL's most highly touted young prospects brought to North America.Utah Mammoth General Manager Bill Armstrong was thrilled with the signing. "We are happy to sign Dmitri to an NHL contract,” Armstrong said. According to him, he is one of the best young defensemen and they are pleased to have him playing for the Mammoth for a long time.The player was the whole season associated with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, which is a team in the KHL. He was primarily responsible for one goal and a couple of assists during the regular season as he combined strong defense with them.In the postseason, Dmitri Simashev was the key person. He managed to score the first-ever Gagarin Cup for his team by playing in all the games. Despite the fact that he had only one assist, he was ensuring security to bring a victory.Also Read: Jaccob Slavin’s Life, Career, And Impact On Team USADmitri Simashev has become an elite-level defenseman because his skills in skating and knowledge of the game are unbelievable. In three KHL seasons with Lokomotiv, Simashev has accumulated sixteen points, and career highs in goals, assists, and points in last year’s season. He has contributed two playoff assists in more than thirty games. Prior to moving to the KHL, Dmitri Simashev was with Loko Yaroslavl who is Lokomotiv's MHL junior affiliate. Along the way, he split ice time with forward prospect Daniil But of the Utah Mammoth, providing the club with inherent chemistry through its pipeline.Originally drafted 6th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2023 NHL Draft, Simashev's rights moved to Utah with the relocation of the franchise earlier this year. Signed with his NHL contract, he will be relied upon to develop into a major contributor to the Mammoth's defense.Utah fans will be interested to watch how soon Dmitri Simashev adapts to the NHL level, but no doubt the ability is there. With his peaceful defensive game and playmaking in pressure situations, he's regarded as a long-term blue-line anchor for the Mammoth.