Mammoth match Devils' offer sheet, retain center Barrett Hayton: Instant analysis and reaction

Barrett Hayton. Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Mammoth match Devils' offer sheet, retain center Barrett Hayton: Instant analysis and reaction

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Kyle Morton | Last updated Jul 8, 2026 5:33 PM ET

The first decision on an offer sheet of the NHL offseason has officially been made, as the Utah Mammoth announced on Wednesday that they have officially matched the New Jersey Devils‘ offer sheet for center Barrett Hayton.

Hayton will now remain with the Mammoth on a one-year contract with a salary cap hit of $4.775 million.

He will be eligible to hit unrestricted free agency next July 1, and Utah is restricted from trading him for the next year, effectively tying him to the roster for next season.

The Arizona Coyotes chose Hayton with the No. 5 overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft, and he has been with the organization throughout his entire career and the move to Salt Lake City.

Offer sheet matched. ✅

We have signed forward Barrett Hayton to a one-year contract.

Read more here: https://t.co/0SfgGhQTCD pic.twitter.com/3gxn31V7Pp
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) July 8, 2026

A two-way forward with strong underlying numbers but limited offensive production, Hayton is coming off of a 2025-26 campaign that saw him put up 25 points on 10 goals and 15 assists in 67 regular season games before being held pointless in his one appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Hayton had a career-best season in 2024-25, remaining healthy for all 82 games and setting career highs in goals (20), assists (26) and points (46).

The Peterborough, Ontario, native will now look to be part of a revamped forward group with the Mammoth following the addition of Vincent Trocheck in a blockbuster trade with the New York Rangers.

Hayton is capable of playing both down the middle and on the wing, head coach Andre Tourigny has deployed him in both roles recently.

Utah is coming off its first postseason berth in franchise history after a regular season in which they claimed the top wild card spot in the Western Conference with a record of 43-33-6. The Mammoth fell in the first round in a six-game series at the hands of the eventual conference champion Vegas Golden Knights.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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