The Devils made one of July 1’s boldest plays when they went the offer-sheet route with Hayton, and took the full week allowed to announce their decision. Bruce Bennett / Getty ImagesJuly 8, 2026 12:49 pm EDT Updated The Utah Mammoth will retain Barrett Hayton after matching the New Jersey Devils’ one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet to the center, the team announced Wednesday.The Devils made one of July 1’s boldest plays when they went the offer-sheet route with Hayton, and took the full week allowed to announce their decision.If the Mammoth chose not to match it, the Devils would have gotten Hayton in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick.
Now that Utah matched, they get to keep Hayton, but they are prohibited from trading him for one year. By that point, Hayton will be an unrestricted free agent.The Devils went the offer-sheet route after trade talks for Hayton broke down with the Mammoth, according to a league source speaking on condition of anonymity to address negotiations that aren’t public. The $4.775 million figure is very close to the maximum a team can offer without including a first-round pick as compensation.This story will be updated.
Jul 8, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
