The inaugural season for the Utah Hockey Club (now the Utah Mammoth) is officially over. The team finished with a 38-31-13 record while their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, finished with a 34-32-4-2 record, which was good enough for the seventh playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The Roadrunners went on to lose in the first round of the playoffs 2-1 to the Abbotsford Canucks.
With the season in the books, it’s time to look at the 48 Utah players under an NHL contract (excluding Connor Ingram for obvious reasons) and grade their 2024-25 seasons. We’ll also reflect on how they did during the 2023-24 season and see if they improved or did worse, along with what their future holds. We’re going alphabetically by first name. Next up is Barrett Hayton.
Hayton’s Last Season
After a strong season in 2022-23 with the Arizona Coyotes, Hayton looked to continue his development. However, he struggled heavily out of the gate, not scoring at all until Nov. 7. In the next five games, though, it seemed like Hayton was starting to get back on pace after scoring four points in those games.
Unfortunately, Hayton was injured on Nov. 16 in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The upper body injury that was expected to be a four to six-week recovery sidelined him until early February.
Related: Utah Mammoth’s 2024-25 Report Cards: Anson Thornton
When Hayton came back, he scored only six points across February and March. On March 10, after scoring two points against the Chicago Blackhawks, he sustained a lower-body injury that kept him sidelined for the rest of the season. In 33 games, Hayton only scored 10 points, which was a significant decrease from his 43 points the season prior.
In the offseason as a restricted free agent (RFA), Hayton signed a two-year extension with Utah.
Hayton This Season
With the new contract and playing in a new city, it gave Hayton an opportunity to have a fresh new start. He took that chance and ran with it. In the first five games of the season, Hayton scored six points, four of which were goals.
For those who know Hayton’s play, they know how streaky he can be. That didn’t change this season. After his strong start, the forward went five games without a point. Throughout the season, he went on hot and cold streaks. However, what Hayton did in those hot streaks was play some of the best hockey he’s played in the NHL.
His production in front…
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