Matt Villalta - NHL News & Rumors

Signs one-year contract Villalta signed a one-year, two-way contract with Buffalo on Saturday.

Impact Villalta posted a 16-12-3 record with a 3.10 GAA and an .844 save percentage across 33 regular-season appearances for AHL Tucson in 2025-26. He will probably spend most, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign with AHL Rochester.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from AHL Villalta was summoned from AHL Tucson on Friday.

Impact Villalta will be the third goaltender for the Mammoth during the playoffs, likely seeing practice time when Karel Vejmelka or Vitek Vanecek play the previous night. Villalta was 16-12-3 with a 3.10 GAA and an .895 save percentage across 33 AHL regular-season games in 2025-26.

APRIL 17 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to minors Villalta was reassigned to AHL Tucson on Monday, per Cole Bagley of KSL Sports.

Impact Villalta will return to Tucson after serving as Vitek Vanecek's backup in the absence of Karel Vejmelka (undisclosed). Across 33 outings with the Roadrunners this season, Villalta has a 16-12-3 record, a 3.10 GAA and an .895 save percentage. With Tucson's next game not until Wednesday, his return to the AHL indicates that Vejmelka might be ready to play in Tuesday's contest. If not, Villalta could return to the NHL club Tuesday to serve behind Vanecek one more.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Brought up Sunday Villalta was recalled from AHL Tucson on Sunday.

Impact Karel Vejmelka (undisclosed) is not suiting up for Sunday's matchup in Calgary, so Villalta will serve as Vitek Vanecek's backup for at least one game. The 26-year-old Villalta has a 16-12-3 record, .895 save percentage and 3.10 GAA over 33 outings with the Roadrunners in 2025-26.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Assigned to Tucson Villalta was assigned to AHL Tucson on Friday.

Impact After being recalled by the Mammoth on Tuesday, Villalta will return to the minors a few days later and will presumably be available for the Roadrunners' weekend series against Ontario. Villalta will likely remain in the minors once Utah resumes play Wednesday against Colorado.

FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Summoned from AHL Villalta was recalled from AHL Tucson on Tuesday.

Impact Villalta has posted a 14-7-3 record with a 3.03 GAA and an .897 save percentage across 24 AHL appearances this season. Once Karel Vejmelka returns from the 2026 Winter Olympics, Villalta will probably head back to the minor-league level.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to minors Villalta was reassigned to AHL Tucson, per the NHL media site.

Impact Karel Vejmelka (upper body) was activated off injured reserve in a corresponding move. Villalta didn't end up playing between the pipes for Utah during his latest stint with the team. He has a 2.94 GAA and a .903 save percentage in 15 outings with Tucson in 2025-26.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Up from minors Villalta was summoned from AHL Tucson on Monday.

Impact Villalta has a 2.94 GAA and a .903 save percentage in 15 outings with Tucson this season. He's up from the minors because Karel Vejmelka is dealing with an upper-body injury and has been put on injured reserve. Utah hasn't announced its starter for Monday's home game against Nashville, but Villalta will likely serve as Vitek Vanecek's understudy.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Shuts out Iowa Villalta posted a 19-save shutout in AHL Tucson's 3-0 win over Iowa on Saturday.

Impact Villalta is off to a 4-1-0 start in 2025-26, posting a 1.99 GAA and a .933 save percentage over five outings. This was the 10th shutout of his AHL career. The 26-year-old doesn't have a clear path to the NHL at this time, but he's well-positioned to be the next man up if Karel Vejmelka or Vitek Vanecek are unavailable for the Mammoth.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Utah Villalta was placed on waivers by the Mammoth on Friday.

Impact Villalta spent training camp with the Mammoth but was unable to land a spot on the Opening Night roster. He's slated to be assigned to AHL Tucson if he clears waivers, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him spend most of the 2025-26 campaign in the minors.

OCTOBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to AHL Villalta was assigned to AHL Tucson on Wednesday.

Impact Villalta spent the past few weeks in the NHL, but he made just one appearance for Utah, turning aside 28 of 31 shots (.903 save percentage) en route to a win over Nashville on Monday. However, he'll head back to the minors now that Utah's regular season is over.

APRIL 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Posts first career win Villalta saved 27 of 30 shots on net in Monday's 7-3 win over Nashville.

Impact Villalta's first career win at the NHL level was a strong all-around performance as he allowed just two goals at even strength. After the 14:20 mark in the second period, he kept Utah's net clean while the Hockey Club's offense erupted for three more goals to seal the win. Monday's outing was Villalta's first game of the season with Utah as he's spent the entire campaign with AHL Tucson. As Utah has one game remaining this season, Villalta will finish the season with a 1-0-0 record, a .900 save percentage and a 3.00 GAA unless the Hockey Club elects to deploy him in back-to-back games.

APRIL 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Keller has 2 goals, 2 assists as Utah beats Predators 7-3

Clayton Keller had two goals and two assists, and the Utah Hockey Club beat the Nashville Predators 7-3

APRIL 15, 2025 • Associated Press

First goalie off Villalta was the first goalie off following Monday's morning skate, Belle Fraser of The Salt Lake Tribune reports, indicating that he'll draw the road start against Nashville.

Impact Villalta was called up from AHL Tucson in late March, but Monday's start will be his first since joining the NHL club. Karel Vejmelka's streak of 23 consecutive starts will come to an end, but he'll likely start Tuesday in St. Louis to close out the regular season. Villalta made 41 appearances for AHL Tucson this year, going 17-21-3 with a 3.01 GAA and .906 save percentage.

APRIL 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Called up from AHL Villalta was recalled from AHL Tucson on Friday.

Impact Villalta was 17-21-3 with a 3.01 GAA and a .906 save percentage across 41 outings with AHL Tucson this season. He appeared in two games last season with the Coyotes, allowing five goals on 29 shots (.828 save percentage). Utah demoted goaltender Jaxson Stauber to the AHL in a corresponding move.

MARCH 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Waived for AHL demotion Villalta was put on waivers Sunday for the purpose of assignment to AHL Tucson.

Impact Villalta earned a 31-17-3 record with a 2.54 GAA and a .911 save percentage across 51 AHL appearances during the 2023-24 regular season. He will probably spend most of the 2024-25 campaign in the minors, barring an injury to Connor Ingram or Karel Vejmelka.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Receives starting nod in goal Villalta will protect the road goal in Friday's preseason game at Vegas, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Impact Villalta signed a two-year contract with Utah in June, though he is on a two-way deal. The 25-year-old made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and played in a total of two games for the Coyotes, allowing five goals on 29 shots. As long as Connor Ingram and Karel Vejmelka stay healthy, Villalta is unlikely to see much NHL time.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returned to AHL The Coyotes reassigned Villalta to AHL Tucson on Thursday.

Impact Villalta was recalled a week ago when Connor Ingram suffered an undisclosed injury. Villalta managed to get into a pair of games -- stopping all four shots in relief of Karel Vejmelka on Feb. 16 and then giving up five goals on 25 shots in a 6-3 loss to Edmonton on Monday. This could be good news for the Coyotes as it appears that Ingram is ready to return.

FEBRUARY 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Loses first NHL start Villalta allowed five goals on 25 shots during Monday's 6-3 loss to Edmonton.

Impact Villalta's second NHL game and first start didn't go as planned. He finished with an .800 save percentage and a 4.17 goals-against average. The 24-year-old goalie isn't likely to stick around the big league once Connor Ingram (undisclosed) gets healthy.

FEBRUARY 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to start Monday Villalta is expected to start Monday's home matchup against Edmonton, according to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.

Impact The Coyotes plan to give Villalta his first NHL start in the second half of the team's back-to-back after Karel Vejmelka plays in Colorado on Sunday. The 24-year-old Villalta made a relief appearance against the Hurricanes on Friday, stopping all four shots faced in 13:39 of ice time. The Oilers rank fifth in the league this campaign with 3.51 goals per contest.

FEBRUARY 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Set to be recalled Villalta is on track to be promoted from AHL Tucson on Thursday, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports.

Impact Connor Ingram is sidelined with an undisclosed injury, so Villalta will take over as the Coyotes' No. 2 netminder behind Karel Vejmelka for the time being. Villalta has yet to make his NHL debut.

FEBRUARY 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hits waivers Villalta was waived by Arizona on Monday to send him to AHL Tucson.

Impact Villalta posted a 12-8-1 record with a 2.65 GAA and a .910 save percentage in 22 games for AHL Ontario last season. If he clears, the 24-year-old netminder will compete for playing time with the Roadrunners this campaign.

OCTOBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Coyotes Villalta signed a one-year, two-way deal with Arizona on Saturday, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports.

Impact Villalta spent the last four seasons in the Kings' minor league system. He was 12-8-1 with a 2.65 GAA and ,910 save percentage with AHL Ontario in 2022-23. Look for Villalta to start the season with AHL Tucson in 2023-24.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Berube, Greaves share shutout as Columbus tops Penguins 3-0

Jean-Francois Berube and Jet Greaves combined for 28 saves and the shutout as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • Associated Press

Shuffles to AHL Villalta was assigned to AHL Ontario on Monday, Lisa Dillman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Troy Grosenick will take Villalta's spot on the taxi squad. Villalta, 21, will benefit from a more consistent role with the minor-league affiliate. He has a lot of development left before making the leap, as he's generated an .872 save percentage and a 3-6-0 record through 10 AHL appearances.

APRIL 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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Keller has 2 goals, 2 assists as Utah beats Predators 7-3

Berube, Greaves share shutout as Columbus tops Penguins 3-0