Utah Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong told reporters Wednesday there are no hard feelings with Barrett Hayton or the New Jersey Devils over last week’s offer sheet.
Utah announced Wednesday they would match the one-year, $4.775 million contract tendered on July 1, keeping the 26-year-old centre with the Mammoth’s young core through the 2026-27 season.
“It’s just business. Players want to get paid, they want to make as much money as they can in their lifetime, we get it. There’s no hard feelings between us and New Jersey. We called them and said we’re going to match. There’s no hard feelings between the club and Barrett Hayton,” Armstrong said Wednesday via KSL Sports’ Cole Bagley.
Bill Armstrong explains that there’s no hard feelings between the Mammoth, Hayton, or Devils:
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) July 8, 2026
“It’s just business. Players want to get paid, they want to make as much money as they can in their lifetime, we get it. There's no hard feelings between us and New Jersey. We called…
“We have really good relationships with the players, the player’s agent, and also New Jersey. There’s no hard feelings. It’s just doing business, and it’s a part of the NHL, it’s a part of the CBA. We have to respect the process.”
Utah cannot trade Hayton next season, as per the collective bargaining agreement. He will become an unrestricted free agent next summer unless extended, which he would be eligible for after Jan. 1.
Armstrong also said he wouldn’t be surprised if offer sheets grow more frequent around the league.
“It’s the new world of the NHL, and I think offer sheets are going to become very common,” Armstrong said. “I think you’re going to see them every single summer. I think every GM is going to be aware of them as they negotiate during the course of the year.”
Armstrong spoke highly of Hayton and said the Mammoth were happy to get him back.
“Barrett’s a key piece for us,” Armstrong said.
“He really anchors our team in a lot of different ways... He’s a valuable piece of our team and somebody that we believe we can move forward with and help us win a championship.”
Hayton also said he was glad to be back with the organization he’s spent the entirety of his career with.
“I’m fired up to get back with my teammates and remain in Utah,” Hayton said. “I’ve been with this core group for my whole career and it’s exciting that we have an opportunity to do some special things next season.”
He had 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 67 games for the Mammoth last season.
Hayton was the first player to sign an offer sheet this summer and first since the St. Louis Blues offer sheeted both Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway of the Edmonton Oilers in 2024.
Anaheim Ducks centre Leo Carlsson inked a massive five-year, $90 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers last week. Anaheim has until Friday to decide whether or not to match.
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