SALT LAKE CITY – As teams around the NHL issued qualifying offers to restricted free agents (RFA) on Monday, the Utah Mammoth officially filed for arbitration with 26-year-old RFA Barrett Hayton.

Correction:

The #TusksUp filed for arbitration with Hayton, it was not Hayton who filed for arbitration. Because it was club-elected arbitration, he is still eligible to sign an offer sheet.

Read more about club-elected arbitration here:https://t.co/UsCpXhXj8I https://t.co/FoZtXeAL2C

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 30, 2026

Apologies for the confusion.

It was the team that filed which changes things. https://t.co/Sa5TEUaCCO

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 30, 2026

What is arbitration in the National Hockey League?

Once an RFA’s contract expires, the original team retains the player’s rights by issuing a qualifying offer before the deadline.

If the player is eligible for salary arbitration under the CBA and negotiations stall, either the player or the team may elect arbitration. A neutral arbitrator then determines the player’s salary—typically for a one- or two-year contract—based on factors such as performance, role, and comparable players.

If the team elects arbitration, the award is generally binding on both parties, subject to certain CBA provisions.

Once arbitration has been elected, the player is generally no longer eligible to sign an offer sheet, though the player may still request a trade.

Why would the Mammoth elect for arbitration with Barrett Hayton?

While no details have surfaced regarding the Mammoth’s reasoning for filing, the decision likely reflects a gap between the two sides in contract negotiations.

As a former No. 5 overall pick (2018), middle-six center and faceoff specialist, Hayton likely values himself at a higher salary than Utah was initially willing to offer.

Based on recent deals, it’s difficult to envision Utah offering much more than $2-3 million annually given Hayton’s inconsistent offensive production and injury history.

While Michael Carcone and Kailer Yamamoto aren’t direct comparables, both produced at a similar offensive rate last season before signing contracts worth $1.75 million AAV.

Despite the filing, Hayton remains eligible to sign an offer sheet until the player filing deadline passes.

Notably, most club-elected arbitration cases are resolved before a hearing, with the filing often serving to establish a firm deadline for negotiations.

What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?

Following the NHL draft, the Utah Mammoth will host their prospect development camp from June 28 to July 2.

On ice sessions will be at the Mammoth Ice Center on Monday & Tuesday at 10 a.m. Monday’s practice will be open to the public.

Prospects will then participate in a 4v4 scrimmage on Thursday at noon.

Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.

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