While most other NHL GMs spent July 1 wheeling and dealing, Utah’s Bill Armstrong sat back and waited.
Then, as soon as things began to slow down, he made his move and got his guy: Vincent Trocheck.
Reports connecting Trocheck to the Mammoth had swirled for weeks, but the Pittsburgh native, who has a trade protection, preferred to remain in the Eastern Conference.
With Wednesday marking the beginning of the new NHL season, though, his no-trade list went from 12 teams down to 10.
He didn’t come cheap, though. The reported return is Sean Durzi, Cole Beaudoin and a third-round draft pick.
The Mammoth traded up to grab Beaudoin in the first round of the 2024 draft, and he has developed into a blue-chip prospect. Durzi has had his ups and downs, but is overall a solid defenseman with high offensive upside.
Trocheck, 32, is a right-shot center who won gold alongside Mammoth captain Clayton Keller at the Olympics in February. He also trains with Logan Cooley, a fellow Pittsburgher, in the summers.
He scored 16 goals and 53 points in 67 games with the New York Rangers last season. He also went 56.9% in the face-off circle.
Trocheck is a capable penalty killer and he should be able to boost Utah’s second power play unit, which has struggled at times throughout the franchise’s two seasons of existence.
He has three years left on his contract, which pays him a modest $5,625,000 per season.