The NHL's landscape is already being shaken up. Now it's Utah's turn to make a big move.
Ask and you shall receive.
In the 24 hours since I wrote my column on how the "time was now", the Vancouver Canucks made a huge splash in signing defenceman Filip Hronek to a big deal, while the San Jose Sharks showed their aggression in acquiring Ty Dellandrea and bringing back Barclay Goodrow.
And in the last few hours, goaltender Jacob Markstrom, seen as a potential trade target for Utah HC, was sent back to New Jersey.
This, of course, now means Utah is in the spotlight.
The so-called "experts" (including ourselves) believe Utah will be a major factor -- an X-factor, if you will -- in free agency, trades, and the draft this next few weeks.
The real question is how aggressive they can be, and how aggressive they will get.
The aggressive route reminds me of Vegas trading for Mark Stone and Jack Eichel, who proved to be the core of their Stanley Cup run in 2023.
The less aggressive route reminds me of Tampa and their trades for Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, forming the "Grind Line" that would push them over the top to consecutive Stanley Cups.
These two situations show fans even the smallest moves have ripple effects, probably more than what the big moves can generate, since small moves tend to add rather than subtract.
But regardless, it shows you have to be willing to make a painful sacrifice.
Just how painful it'll be is now in the hands of the Utah front office.