Mammoth Secures Hayton with Matching Offer Sheet
The Utah Mammoth announced that it had matched New Jersey’s offer sheet on center Barrett Hayton, securing the 26‑year‑old for the upcoming season under a $4.775 million contract.
General manager Bill Armstrong said the deal reflects the club’s belief that Hayton is the cornerstone of the roster, noting that his presence will help anchor the team and drive its championship aspirations.
Hayton, who has accumulated 155 points in 362 NHL appearances, including playoff runs, expressed enthusiasm about returning to Utah and collaborating with his teammates as the club looks to build on recent progress.
Had the Mammoth not matched the offer, it would have received a 2027 second‑round draft pick as compensation, a detail that underscored the strategic stakes of the decision.
The move comes amid a league‑wide surge in offer‑sheet activity, highlighted by Philadelphia’s $90 million proposal to restricted free agent Leo Carlsson and a series of recent poaching successes by St. Louis against Edmonton.
Sunny Mehta, the Devils’ newly appointed general manager, declined to elaborate on the offer‑sheeting strategy when questioned, while the Mammoth noted that Hayton cannot be traded before July 1, though he may sign an extension beginning January 1.