Barrett Hayton is a player who contributes beyond the statistics.
That was evident in the Utah Hockey Club’s 3-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night at SAP Center.
Hayton connected with Kailer Yamamoto for the game-winning goal at 6:23 of the third period. He picked up a point pass from Clayton Keller in the corner and wired it through two Sharks to Yamamoto, who was crashing the net and got rewarded with the knock-in tally. Hayton posted his second assist on Yamamoto’s second goal, which made it 3-1 at 17:38 of the final frame.
Sean Durzi’s second-period, power-play goal and 19 saves from Connor Ingram also helped secure Utah’s fourth win of the preseason.
San Jose Sharks center Alexander Wennberg (21) and Utah Hockey Club forward Clayton Keller (9) compete for possession of the puck during the second period of a pre-season NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Meanwhile, Hayton ended the night with two assists, two shots and was the only forward to register a blocked shot through 16:37 of ice time. His net-front presence created high-danger scoring chances as he leaned on his physicality to fight for space in the crease. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound forward logged time on both the power play and penalty kill, showing off the versatility he offers this Utah team.
“I think he is going to the net, he wins his battles, good on the faceoff, he’s really good defensively as well,” Utah head coach André Tourigny said. “He’s a player who does a lot of unsung stuff. A lot of stuff people don’t talk about. But he makes others better by doing all the dirty jobs.”
Hayton — who was drafted fifth overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2018 — played just 33 games for the team in the 2023-24 season due to a lower-body injury. Hayton had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) and went 49.8% from the face-off dot through that stretch. He was not able to find the consistency expected of a No. 1 center while being in and out of the lineup but now, fully healthy, he’s aiming to wholly fill that role.
“I feel great,” Hayton said of coming into the 2024-25 campaign. “It obviously sucks missing time with injuries. It’s hard not playing, seeing the guys play and not being able to have an impact on the group and whatnot. I’m healthy and excited for the year.”
Hayton centered the first line between Keller and Yamamoto on Tuesday. Nick Schmaltz is regularly on the right wing instead of Yamamoto, but because it’s still preseason, the forward did not play.
The trio of Keller, Hayton and Schmaltz got some looks last season and is a line that has been consistent throughout training camp. Keller and Schmaltz were the team’s two top scorers in 2023-24 with 33 and 22 goals, respectively. Hayton’s job — on top of producing himself — is to set those guys up for success, and he’s pretty good at that.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club forward Nick Schmaltz (8) as Utah Hockey Club hosts the Los Angeles Kings, NHL pre-season hockey in Salt Lake City on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
“He’s super important. Always around the net for loose pucks and making my job easier. He definitely should get more credit than he does,” Keller said. “Creating space for me. He’s strong on the puck, he wins those loose puck battles in the offensive zone that keep plays alive and keep your momentum and your pace up. Those are key things.”
The 24-year-old’s heavy and grinding game makes his teammates better and gives Utah stability down the middle for the next two seasons at least. Hayton signed a two-year, $5.3 million contract extension with Utah in July.
Hayton and Keller are roommates this season after also living together for the past few years in Arizona. Between hockey and watching golf, the two battle at the ping pong table. (Keller claims he is better.) Knowing each other on and off the ice has helped with the duo’s first-line connection.
“I think so much of the game is chemistry and stuff, so us spending a lot of time together — and even just knowing how each other are with communication, understanding each other’s game — living together definitely helps on that side of things,” Hayton said.
If he can avoid injury, Hayton is poised to be a sturdy, play-making, two-way center who has yet to reach his full potential. That is exciting for Utah.
“He has a big role right now playing with [Keller] and [Schmaltz],” Tourigny said. “He’s a really important player for us. You go around the NHL, it’s tough to find those guys who are doing all the little details — the details help you to win.”
