John Marino has agreed to an eight-year, $54 million contract with the Utah Mammoth. The deal carries an average annual value of $6.75 million and will begin in the 2027-28 season.
Marino’s Impressive Performance and Future with the Mammoth
The 29-year-old defenseman set an NHL career best with 36 points last season, recording four goals and 32 assists in 80 games. He ranked third on the Mammoth in average ice time at 20:12 per game and added one goal in six Stanley Cup Playoff appearances.
Marino is entering the final season of a six-year, $26.4 million contract he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 2021. He would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2026-27 season.
Team management described the move as part of a broader effort to secure key players on long-term agreements while keeping salary commitments balanced. The Mammoth view Marino as a defender with room to grow, noting his ability to move the puck efficiently, create offense from the back end, and elevate those around him.
Marino cited the organization’s direction as a major factor in choosing an eight-year term, pointing to ownership’s investment in building a winning environment, upgraded facilities, and strong fan support.
He has played the past two seasons with Utah after being acquired in a trade from the New Jersey Devils on June 29, 2024. The defenseman expressed optimism about the team’s trajectory following last season’s tight first-round series against Vegas and highlighted the group’s cohesion.
Selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round (No. 154) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Marino has 157 points (23 goals, 134 assists) in 443 regular-season games with the Penguins, Devils, and Mammoth, along with seven points (one goal, six assists) in 35 career playoff games. Team officials said the signing was well received in the locker room.
The Utah Mammoth’s commitment to Marino underscores their strategy of investing in players who demonstrate significant potential and capability on the ice, ensuring a competitive future for the team.