Devils Pivot: Pursuing a Top-Six Upgrade After Hayton Offer Is Matched

The Utah Mammoth matched Barrett Hayton's one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet, keeping Hayton and blocking a Devils trade for at least a year. New Jersey now has about $9.6 million in cap space and six first-round picks over the next four drafts to pursue a top-six forward, either via trade or a one-year free-agent deal. Target options discussed include Pavel Zacha (former Devil, UF A after this season, around $4.75M), Tomas Hertl (big cap hit with potential retention), and Anthony Mantha (6’5” winger with scoring ability).