offer sheet

[moose-and-squirrel]

looks like NJ isn't happy with Utah. signed Barrett Hayton to an offer sheet that was accepted

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/utah- ... p_catchall

[sdaltons]

I'm not seeing anything in the article about anyone being unhappy with anyone?

And wouldn't be Utah that was unhappy, if anyone was?

[BleedingBleu]

looks like NJ isn't happy with Utah. signed Barrett Hayton to an offer sheet that was accepted

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/utah- ... p_catchall

More like Utah mismanaged their roster by acquiring Trocheck & Lee before trading Hayton. Now, they’re converting a former 5th overall pick for a 2nd Rounder

[moose-and-squirrel]

I'm not seeing anything in the article about anyone being unhappy with anyone?

And wouldn't be Utah that was unhappy, if anyone was?

ah, the other article I read had the skinny. my bad for posting that one.

basically NJ and Utah had a deal worked out at the draft only for Utah to back out at the last sec

[moose-and-squirrel]

here ya go

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/offer ... 52139.html

According to Cam Robinson, sources indicate that Utah and New Jersey actually had a trade for Hayton agreed upon at the draft, only for Utah to back out at the last minute. If accurate, that context reframes the entire offer sheet as something closer to a front office settling a score.

[TBone]

I'm not seeing anything in the article about anyone being unhappy with anyone?

And wouldn't be Utah that was unhappy, if anyone was?

ah, the other article I read had the skinny. my bad for posting that one.

basically NJ and Utah had a deal worked out at the draft only for Utah to back out at the last sec

Why Devils Might Actually Steal Barrett Hayton With Offer Sheet

James Nichols
July 2, 2026

It wasn’t for the flashiest player, but the New Jersey Devils might have made the most noise on the first day of free agency.

They sent restricted free agent center Barrett Hayton a one-year offer sheet worth $4,775,000. Utah now has seven days to match it or let him walk.

This didn’t come out of nowhere. According to Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, the two clubs had a deal in place during the 2026 NHL Draft that Utah ultimately backed out of. That unfinished business clearly left some scar tissue.

What makes this offer sheet actually viable is the arbitration path the Mammoth chose. Because the team elected arbitration, it opened the door for this kind of aggressive play. Had Hayton been the one to file, the rules would have worked differently and this maneuver probably wouldn’t have been on the table.

https://sportsnaut.com/nhl/new-jersey-d ... et-mammoth

[zamadoo]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

[moose-and-squirrel]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

they prolly should/will, but one article stated they didn't want to pay him that much

I have no idea what their cap situation is either

[zamadoo]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

they prolly should/will, but one article stated they didn't want to pay him that much

I have no idea what their cap situation is either

Yeah I guess that's the thing, they'll have to pay a bit more for him. I can't tell for sure, but on puckpedia they have him signed (pending results) and Utah with $4.6M left in cap space. It would seem that includes his newly signed salary, but it could be a situation where NJ signed him for above the cap space they have remaining after their recent acquisitions, which would make it more spunky.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

they prolly should/will, but one article stated they didn't want to pay him that much

I have no idea what their cap situation is either

Yeah I guess that's the thing, they'll have to pay a bit more for him. I can't tell for sure, but on puckpedia they have him signed (pending results) and Utah with $4.6M left in cap space. It would seem that includes his newly signed salary, but it could be a situation where NJ signed him for above the cap space they have remaining after their recent acquisitions, which would make it more spunky.

wouldn't that be spicy.. lol

[STL fan in MN]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

Because the devil is in the details (pun intended).

It’s a 1 year deal and Hayton will be a UFA in 1 year. And the rules state that if you match an offer sheet, you then can’t trade the player for 1 year. So unless they think they can re-sign Hayton to a longer term deal, then they will likely be losing him for nothing as a UFA a year from now.

So choice really is:

NJ’s 2027 2nd rd pick

or

Get Hayton for 1 year, overpay him for that 1 year and then likely lose him for nothing.

I bet they take the 2nd rounder.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

Because the devil is in the details (pun intended).

It’s a 1 year deal and Hayton will be a UFA in 1 year. And the rules state that if you match an offer sheet, you then can’t trade the player for 1 year. So unless they think they can re-sign Hayton to a longer term deal, then they will likely be losing him for nothing as a UFA a year from now.

So choice really is:

NJ’s 2027 2nd rd pick

or

Get Hayton for 1 year, overpay him for that 1 year and then likely lose him for nothing.

I bet they take the 2nd rounder.

great point, and forgot to mention that. really is a rock/hard place situation

[zamadoo]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

Because the devil is in the details (pun intended).

It’s a 1 year deal and Hayton will be a UFA in 1 year. And the rules state that if you match an offer sheet, you then can’t trade the player for 1 year. So unless they think they can re-sign Hayton to a longer term deal, then they will likely be losing him for nothing as a UFA a year from now.

So choice really is:

NJ’s 2027 2nd rd pick

or

Get Hayton for 1 year, overpay him for that 1 year and then likely lose him for nothing.

I bet they take the 2nd rounder.

Wow thanks for that tidbit. I wonder what the deal they had worked out was for?

[moose-and-squirrel]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

Because the devil is in the details (pun intended).

It’s a 1 year deal and Hayton will be a UFA in 1 year. And the rules state that if you match an offer sheet, you then can’t trade the player for 1 year. So unless they think they can re-sign Hayton to a longer term deal, then they will likely be losing him for nothing as a UFA a year from now.

So choice really is:

NJ’s 2027 2nd rd pick

or

Get Hayton for 1 year, overpay him for that 1 year and then likely lose him for nothing.

I bet they take the 2nd rounder.

Wow thanks for that tidbit. I wonder what the deal they had worked out was for?

Hayton was who NJ wanted. dunno what they were offering

[STL fan in MN]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

Because the devil is in the details (pun intended).

It’s a 1 year deal and Hayton will be a UFA in 1 year. And the rules state that if you match an offer sheet, you then can’t trade the player for 1 year. So unless they think they can re-sign Hayton to a longer term deal, then they will likely be losing him for nothing as a UFA a year from now.

So choice really is:

NJ’s 2027 2nd rd pick

or

Get Hayton for 1 year, overpay him for that 1 year and then likely lose him for nothing.

I bet they take the 2nd rounder.

Wow thanks for that tidbit. I wonder what the deal they had worked out was for?

Who knows. Probably more than a 2nd though! Maybe that detail will eventually come out but idk.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Why wouldn't Utah match?

Because the devil is in the details (pun intended).

It’s a 1 year deal and Hayton will be a UFA in 1 year. And the rules state that if you match an offer sheet, you then can’t trade the player for 1 year. So unless they think they can re-sign Hayton to a longer term deal, then they will likely be losing him for nothing as a UFA a year from now.

So choice really is:

NJ’s 2027 2nd rd pick

or

Get Hayton for 1 year, overpay him for that 1 year and then likely lose him for nothing.

I bet they take the 2nd rounder.

Wow thanks for that tidbit. I wonder what the deal they had worked out was for?

Who knows. Probably more than a 2nd though! Maybe that detail will eventually come out but idk.

if there was a player involved, I doubt we ever hear his name.. especially if he's still on their roster