Defense spending ramped up around the NHL on Wednesday, with the blue line the focus of trades as the deadline approaches.

The Utah Mammoth made a splash by getting defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from Calgary for three second-round picks in the draft this year, former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta and unsigned prospect Jonathan Castagna.

Weegar, 32, gives the Mammoth an experienced player capable of playing big minutes as they attempt to get into the playoffs in the Western Conference. He had to waive his full no-trade clause to approve the deal and bet on Utah as a long-term home because he’s under contract through 2031 at an annual salary cap hit of $6.25 million.

“MacKenzie is a high-end defenseman with the type of leadership and work ethic that we want in a top-four blueliner,” Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Acquiring MacKenzie solidifies our back end as we continue to push towards the playoffs, and he will be a great addition to our team on and off the ice.”

While Utah is looking to make the playoffs in the franchise’s second season in Salt Lake City, the top of the Central Division also keeps getting stronger.

The Dallas Stars got defenseman Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 fourth-rounder. Vancouver is retaining half of Myers’ $3 million salary for the remainder of this season and next, meaning the Stars get him at a modest $1.5 million hit for two possible playoff runs.

“Tyler is a veteran defenseman that will immediately add to our group,” Dallas general manager Jim Nill said. “His ability to play on the right side will give us an added element of flexibility on the blue line.”

Myers is 6-foot-8 and in his 17th season in the league at age 36. He waived his full no-trade clause to facilitate the move.

“It just basically checked all the boxes,” Myers said on a video call with reporters. “Obviously, had three or four teams that were a preference for us. Dallas one of them. And when we found out that they had some mutual interest, we pushed hard to get it done.”

The Stars were looking to add depth to their blue line and also could still add up front before the trade deadline on Friday. Myers joins a group on the back end led by Miro Heiskanen that also includes Esa Lindell and Thomas Harley.

“Already a lot of talent, already a lot of size,” Myers said. “I know how good of a team Dallas already is, and for me I’m just coming in to work as hard as I can and help in any way.”

Minnesota, likely Dallas’ first-round opponent, made a trade for bottom-six center Michael McCarron on Tuesday night. Colorado, which sits atop the Central, the West and the NHL, shored up its defense depth by getting Nick Blankenburg from Nashville for a fifth-round pick in 2027.

The Wild may not be done dealing, with a high-end center on general manager Bill Guerin’s shopping list. Among the candidates for that role is Upper St. Clair native Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers, one of several teams who have declared they are open for business as sellers.