John Marino’s career year earned him a massive payday, but Utah’s eight-year commitment represents something much bigger — a belief that their rising franchise has found a cornerstone defenseman for the next era.
The Utah Mammoth have secured a key piece of their blue line for the foreseeable future.
Defenseman John Marino signed an eight-year, $54 million contract extension on Tuesday, carrying a $6.75 million annual average value beginning with the 2027-28 season. The deal keeps one of Utah’s most important all-around defensemen under contract through the 2034-35 season.
Marino, 29, is coming off the most productive offensive season of his NHL career. He recorded 36 points (four goals, 32 assists) in 80 games during the 2025-26 regular season while averaging 20:12 of ice time per night, ranking third among Mammoth skaters.
He also appeared in six playoff games during Utah’s first postseason run, scoring once as the organization took a major step forward in its development.
For general manager Bill Armstrong, the decision to commit eight years to Marino came down to more than just his current production. Utah believes the veteran defenseman still has room to grow and can remain a major part of the team’s foundation.
“Defensemen mature later,” Armstrong said. “I still think he’s getting better. I think he’s an elite puck mover.”
Armstrong highlighted Marino’s ability to transition the puck and create offense from the defensive zone as one of the biggest reasons the Mammoth wanted to secure him long term.
The extension also fits into Utah’s broader plan of building a sustainable roster with several core players locked into long-term deals. Armstrong compared managing the salary cap to dividing up a pizza, explaining that every player needs to receive a fair portion without limiting the team’s ability to continue adding talent.
Marino is entering the final season of the six-year, $26.4 million contract he originally signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 2021. Without an extension, he would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency following the 2026-27 season.
Instead, Marino chose to remain in Utah, pointing to the organization’s growth and the culture being built around the team.
“I think Ryan and Ashley Smith have done a great job creating a winning environment and a place where players want to be,” Marino said. “The support from the fans and everything has exceeded expectations.”
Marino arrived in Utah following a trade with the New Jersey Devils in June 2024 and quickly became a trusted presence on the Mammoth blue line. His steady defensive play, puck-moving ability, and leadership have made him one of the team’s most valuable veterans as Utah continues to develop into a legitimate Western Conference contender.
The Mammoth’s progress last season further reinforced Marino’s belief in the team’s direction. Utah pushed the Vegas Golden Knights to a tightly contested first-round playoff series before being eliminated, giving the young franchise confidence heading into the future.
“We’re a young team and still have so much to look forward to,” Marino said. “We were a tight group last year, and you don’t expect anything different this year.”
Originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL Draft, Marino has totaled 157 points (23 goals, 134 assists) across 443 career regular-season games with the Penguins, Devils, and Mammoth. He has added seven points in 35 playoff contests.
For Utah, the extension represents another major commitment toward building a long-term contender — and another sign that the Mammoth believe Marino will remain a central part of their rise.
“Every time he’s on the ice, good things happen,” Armstrong said. “He makes everybody better around him.”
