The Utah Hockey Club announced it would aggressively add to its roster ahead of its first season in Salt Lake, and so far it has not disappointed. Two big trades on Saturday netted it a brand new top pair on defense as it Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino.

But they aren't done improving their defense yet, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, who had this to say about Utah after Day 2 of the draft:

I still think there are some people who think they'll be there for Brandon Montour when he comes out of Florida.

“I'm not known for my patience,” billionaire Utah HC owner Ryan Smith said on the eve of the draft. That's certainly clear at this point.

Montour is a soon-to-be-untitled free agent and fresh off helping the Panthers bring home the Stanley Cup. The 30-year-old right defenseman just signed a three-year, $3.5 million AAV deal, but his salary is expected to at least double, and then some. AFP Analytics projects Montour to have an AAV of $7.7 million on a six-year deal.

This season, his offensive game has waned, scoring 33 points in 66 games after exploding with 73 points in 2022-23. Still, he will be a sought-after player if the Panthers can't extend him by Monday and he becomes a free agent. Given the transfer rumors surrounding Aaron Ekblad, it's hard to imagine Florida letting Montour go, too. But stranger things have happened, and Ryan Smith is lurking.

If Utah can land Montour and complete Saturday's big signings, they will be a pretty formidable top-four team on defense, regardless of who starts with the new additions.

Photo: © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports