Chief among them: trading away a major contributor and a high draft pick for a veteran forward.

Utah sent defenseman Sean Durzi and forward Cole Beaudoin to the New York Rangers for 13-year center Vincent Trocheck.

“Vincent plays a reliable two-way game and is an Olympic gold medalist,” said Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Mammoth, in a news release. “He’s dynamic on the penalty-kill and elite in the face-off circle. Vincent’s leadership will be critical in helping our team to take the next steps towards building a contender.”

Trocheck, who turns 33 this month, has logged 868 career games. He totaled 16 goals and 37 assists in 67 games, reaching the 50-point mark for the fifth consecutive season to end his New York tenure.

He previously played six seasons with Florida and three-plus with Carolina before four with the Rangers. The two-time All-Star had a career high 77 points (25 goals, 52 assists) three seasons ago. Trocheck is under contract with Utah for the next three seasons, the team says.

Fighting through injury, Durzi, 27, totaled five goals and 22 assists in 60 games last season with Utah. Beaudoin, 20, was the franchise’s first-round draft pick in 2024. He had 33 goals and 55 assists in 54 games with Barrie in the OHL last season.

Another veteran for the front line

The Mammoth also lined up 35-year-old Anders Lee for a three-year contract, the team announced.

The veteran has played all 14 of his seasons with the New York Islanders. He averaged 81.75 games per season over the last four campaigns. The Islanders captain had 19 goals and 23 assists last year; his career-best came in 2017-18 when he totaled 40 goals and 22 assists.

“Anders is one of the most respected leaders in the NHL and we are very proud that he chose Utah,” Armstrong said in a news release. “He is one of the best net front players in the game and one of the most durable guys in the league. He will be a great fit on the ice for our young players and an even better role model off the ice.”

Even more front-line experience

Wednesday also brought the announcement that forward Kevin Stenlund will return to Utah on a one-year contract.

The eight-year player, 29 years old, had four goals and 14 assists last season and scored one goal in Utah’s playoff series against Vegas. Two seasons ago, he was fourth in the NHL in faceoffs won at 59.1%.

Young defenseman on two-way deal

Utah’s final announcement Wednesday said the team signed defenseman Zac Jones to a two-year, two-way contract.

The 25-year-old was an AHL All-Star last season, tallying 10 goals and 52 assists with the Rochester Americans. He’s a former 2019 third-round draft pick (Rangers).