The Utah Mammoth made sure one of their core forwards isn't going anywhere.

Just days after the New Jersey Devils signed Barrett Hayton to an offer sheet, Utah exercised its right to match the one-year, $4.775 million contract on Wednesday, ensuring the 26-year-old center remains with the organization that drafted him and where he's spent his entire NHL career.

"Barrett is a key piece of our team and important to what we are building here in Utah," general manager Bill Armstrong said in a statement. "He's strong in the face-off 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."

Hayton echoed the organization's enthusiasm about staying put.

"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 in front of the best fans in the NHL."

The Mammoth's decision removes any uncertainty surrounding one of the club's most versatile forwards as Utah continues building toward becoming a Western Conference contender.

Hayton's production dipped last season after a breakout campaign, finishing with 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 67 regular-season games before appearing in one Stanley Cup Playoff contest. However, his value extends well beyond the scoresheet. A dependable two-way center who can contribute in all situations, Hayton has become one of Utah's most trusted forwards, particularly in the faceoff circle and on special teams.

The 2024-25 season served as the best of Hayton's NHL career. During Utah's inaugural campaign, he established career highs across the board with 20 goals, 26 assists and 46 points while adding seven power-play goals, 15 power-play points and seven game-winning tallies. One of the defining moments of that season came on Feb. 22, 2025, when he recorded the first hat trick in franchise history against the Los Angeles Kings. Earlier that year, he was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week after scoring game-winning goals in consecutive contests for the first time in his career.

Since making his NHL debut with the Arizona Coyotes during the 2019-20 season, Hayton has appeared in 358 regular-season games between Arizona and Utah, recording 65 goals and 155 points. The former fifth-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft has steadily developed into a reliable top-six option after overcoming injuries early in his career.

His success has also extended to the international stage. Hayton captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, finishing tied for the tournament lead with 12 points in seven games while earning a spot on the event's All-Star Team. He also represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

By matching New Jersey's offer sheet, Utah avoids losing a homegrown player entering the prime of his career while maintaining continuity with a roster the organization believes is capable of taking another step next season.