The Utah Mammoth have matched the one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet tendered to centre Barrett Hayton by the New Jersey Devils.
As a result of matching, the Mammoth cannot trade Hayton for the next year, meaning he will remain with the team ahead of being eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. That caveat was seen as a potential poison pill in New Jersey’s offer.
Utah would have received a second-round pick back from the Devils as compensation had the offer sheet gone unmatched.
“Barrett is a key piece of our team and important to what we are building here in Utah,” Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said. “He’s strong in the face-off circle, plays both sides of the puck and can play with anyone in our forward group. We are grateful to be able to count on Barrett in our lineup next season.”
Hayton, 26, posted 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 67 games for the Mammoth last season.
“I’m fired up to get back with my teammates and remain in Utah,” said Barrett Hayton, forward of the Utah Mammoth. “I’ve been with this core group for my whole career and it’s exciting that we have an opportunity to do some special things next season in front of the best fans in the NHL.”
The Peterborough, Ont., native was selected No. 5 overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2018. He’s spent his entire seven-year career with the franchise, tallying 65 goals and 90 assists for 155 points in 358 career regular season NHL games.
Hayton was the first player to sign an offer sheet this summer and first since the St. Louis Blues offer sheeted both Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway of the Edmonton Oilers in 2024. Anaheim Ducks centre Leo Carlsson inked a massive five-year, $90 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers last week. Anaheim has until Friday to decide whether or not to match.
