​Barrett Hayton will not be heading to New Jersey. The Mammoth announced on Wednesday that they have matched the Devils’ offer sheet for the 26-year-old forward, leaving Utah responsible for Hayton’s $4.7 million contract for the upcoming season. If the Mammoth had chosen not to meet the one-year offer, Hayton would have wound up in New Jersey, with a 2027 second-round pick changing hands the other way. Instead, the Devils must shift their focus to other options to round out their lineup.
Hayton has dealt with injuries, but when healthy, he has shown he can contribute meaningfully. Over the past four years, the former fifth overall pick has been productive, recording 52 goals and totaling 124 points in 264 games. His track record suggests a high ceiling when he is on the ice, and he has the versatility to play multiple forward positions. If he had joined the Devils, Hayton likely would have slotted in as the team’s third-line center, a role that requires both two-way responsibility and the ability to contribute offensively in a depth-forward capacity.
From a team-building perspective, New Jersey now faces the challenge of filling the center-three role and maintaining offensive consistency in the absence of Hayton. The decision to match the offer sheet demonstrates Utah’s commitment to retaining a player they believe can contribute to their roster’s aspirations. For the Devils, the goal remains finding a reliable center who can drive possession, create scoring chances, and maintain a steady two-way presence, especially as the team navigates a potentially competitive Metropolitan Division.
The implications of this development extend beyond just the current season. Matching the offer sheet means Hayton will be under contract with Utah for the near term, limiting the Devils’ flexibility to explore other potential acquisitions without significant trade or financial considerations. As teams across the league continue to adjust their rosters, New Jersey will likely kick the tires on several free-agent centers, potential trade targets, or internally developed players who can step into bottom-six or third-line roles with the potential to move up in the lineup.
Hayton’s production over the last four seasons suggests that, when healthy, he can be a productive player who brings scoring ability and a strong presence in the middle of the ice. His 52 goals and 124 points in 264 games highlight his potential to contribute offensively, while his size and versatility give coaches options in terms of line combinations and matchups. The Devils would have benefited from adding a player with those attributes, especially given the importance of balanced depth at the center position.
In summary, Barrett Hayton will not be joining the New Jersey Devils, as the Buffalo Mammoth franchise has exercised its right to match the Devils’ offer sheet. Utah now holds a $4.7 million commitment for the upcoming season, and the Devils must pursue other avenues to fortify their center depth. Hayton’s ability to produce when healthy remains attractive, but the reality is that the Devils will need to adapt and search for alternatives to fill the critical third-line center role, while Hayton continues his career with Utah. This decision shapes both teams’ strategic directions as the offseason progresses and rosters are finalised ahead of the upcoming season.