A year ago, Mammoth president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong and general manager Bill Armstrong were reluctant to bring in players older than 30. That's changed.
Forward Vincent Trocheck, 33, waived a no-trade clause to approve a move from the New York Rangers on July 1. He had 53 points (16 goals, 37 assists) in 67 games last season and three assists in six games to help Team USA win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Forward Anders Lee, 36, signed a three-year, $16.2 million contract (average annual value of $5.4 million) with Utah on July 1. He had 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 82 games last season for the New York Islanders.
"We went into that series against Vegas, and you look at it, they had an older, experienced club," Bill Armstrong said. "You still need people that have done it at a high level for a long time in the National Hockey League to kind of lead the way."
Keller (15), Crouse (15), Schmaltz (10), Guenther (six), and Cooley (six) have played a combined 52 games in the postseason. Trocheck (56) and Lee (46) have been in 112.
"They see what we're building here, and they want to be a part of it." Chris Armstrong said of Trocheck and Lee. "So, we're grateful they put that trust and belief in us, and we will do everything we can to give them the resources and support to have an impact here."
The contract was a significant commitment for Lee, who played his first 14 seasons for the Islanders and was their captain for the past eight, but he's missed the playoffs the past two and sees Utah as a way back.
"It's a big change, there's no doubt about it," said Lee, who has 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 46 postseason games. "Every day I look at this jersey and the logo, I start to like it even more and start to feel more comfortable with it."
Trocheck seemed to be on the verge of something special with the Rangers in 2023-24, leading them with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 16 playoff games. They lost the Eastern Conference Final in six games to the Florida Panthers and failed to qualify for the playoffs in two seasons since.
Entering his 14th NHL season, Trocheck wants to dream of the Stanley Cup again.
"The team, obviously, a lot of potential," Trocheck said. "Been taking a lot of strides the last few years. A very good young team and I think, for me, one of the biggest things is just going to a team that has a chance to win."
Still, Lee and Trocheck have been around long enough to know nothing is guaranteed.
Bill Armstrong also gets that. He thinks the additions make Utah better than it was in the series loss to Vegas, but belief is one thing and reality is another.
"I think that's to be determined with the group," Armstrong said. "It's how hard they come in to fight. I think whenever you can create some momentum at this point of the year, it's a good thing. I think guys get excited to know, 'Hey, you come to camp, there's a lot of good players going on that ice.' ... They get excited when we start to add good players into the roster. They can feel it. And I think that momentum will help us."
