How can the New Jersey Devils pivot after Utah Mammoth match Barrett Hayton's offer sheet?
Pucks and Pitchforks • • sports
Key Points:
- The Colorado Mammoth matched a one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet for restricted free agent Barrett Hayton, preventing the New Jersey Devils from acquiring him and restricting the Mammoth from trading Hayton for one year.
- The New Jersey Devils now have $9.6 million in cap space and six first-round draft picks over the next four years, allowing them flexibility to pursue other forward upgrades via trade or free agency.
- Potential targets for the Devils include Pavel Zacha, a versatile 29-year-old forward formerly with New Jersey now with Boston, who posted a career-high 65 points last season and has a contract comparable to Hayton’s.
- Tomas Hertl of the Vegas Golden Knights is another option; a 6'3" forward with playoff experience and 58 points last season, though his $6.75 million cap hit may require salary retention by Vegas to fit New Jersey’s budget.
- Free agent Anthony Mantha, a 31-year-old right winger with size and scoring ability who tallied 64 points last season with Pittsburgh, is also a viable option to complement the Devils’ top-line offensive players.
