SPOTLIGHT: Utah Mammoth’s Free Agency PLANS Start with Barrett Hayton—Major Questions Ahead

The Utah Mammoth face a pivotal offseason after a first-round playoff exit, with only one restricted free agent—Barrett Hayton—on their radar. In this deep dive, hosts Tom Callahan and Robin Leano dissect Hayton’s future, weighing his 2025-26 performance (25 points in 67 games, declining advanced stats) against his potential as a 3C center and his arbitration eligibility. Despite a dip in production and relative Corsi metrics, the hosts agree Hayton is worth retaining, advocating for a two- to four-year bridge deal around $4.5 million to keep him in Utah while preserving cap flexibility for future moves. They highlight the looming impact of young prospects like Danoyer and Baldwin, whose development could reshape the forward core in 2–4 years. The conversation also touches on Utah’s unique cap situation—despite a rising salary cap, they’re constrained by Logan Cooley’s $10M contract and Jack McBain’s $4.25M deal—and the broader implications of the new CBA, including shorter contract lengths and rising cap floors. The episode closes with a nod to Shane Doan’s free agency and the possibility of him joining Utah in a hockey development role, underscoring the team’s long-term vision. The hosts emphasize that while Hayton’s numbers dipped, his role as a reliable, high-integrity center remains vital. They argue that a modest, term-heavy deal would reward his loyalty and fit Utah’s culture of building from within.