Barrett Hayton is staying put.
The Utah Mammoth matched the New Jersey Devils' one-year, $4.775-million offer sheet for the restricted free-agent center, the team announced Wednesday.
The Devils signed the 26-year-old to the offer sheet July 1. The Mammoth had until Wednesday to decide whether to match. Utah would've received a 2027 second-round pick as compensation from New Jersey if it didn't match.
The one-year deal walks Hayton straight to unrestricted free agency in 2027. Matching the offer sheet means the Mammoth are not allowed to trade Hayton for a full calendar year.
The Devils and Mammoth reportedly discussed a trade for Hayton before New Jersey tendered the offer sheet.
Hayton tallied 10 goals and 25 points in 67 games last season, averaging 15:07 per contest. He set career highs with 20 goals and 46 points in 2024-25.
He's been a strong two-way play driver in recent years.
The Mammoth have matched Barrett Hayton's offer sheet. pic.twitter.com/CwlFWXHWB1
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 8, 2026
"Barrett is a key piece of our team and important to what we are building here in Utah," general manager Bill Armstrong said. "He's strong in the faceoff 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."
The Mammoth are rich in center depth, with Nick Schmaltz, Logan Cooley, Jack McBain, Hayton, and the newly acquired Vincent Trocheck all able to play down the middle.
New Jersey's center depth beyond Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier consists of Cody Glass and Nick Bjugstad.
The Arizona Coyotes drafted Hayton fifth overall in 2018.
