Role
Simashev is 21, 6'4", 198 pounds, and was the sixth pick in the 2023 draft (by Arizona). He played 28 games for Utah in 2025-26 with one assist and a minus-11, then spent the rest of the year in the AHL, per Daily Faceoff.
This year he is in the lineup every night. He has 2 assists in seven games, a plus-2, and averages 14:57. He set up Lee's goal in the opener.
Outlook
Our take: this is the real test after last year's trial. Third-pair minutes next to Peeke are a safe place for a young defenseman to learn, with the veterans above him to cover mistakes.
We expect a full season, 10 to 20 points, and rising minutes. If he gets to 16 or more by spring, we'll feel good about where he's headed.