Perhaps the most effective defenseman for the Utah Mammoth last season is going to be re-signed by the Utah Mammoth. Mammoth fans may be very happy to have such a defensive force stay in Utah longer. John Marino, 29, who had some pretty insane stats last season, will be re-signed by Utah as he was set to become a UFA after the 2026-27 season. It is clear that the Mammoth are intent on improving their defense and Marino is a part of the equation.
John Marino re-signed to an 8-year, $6.75M AAV deal
Marino scored 4 goals and added 32 assists in his second season in Utah. The former 6th round selection didn't just provide some offense for Utah, though. Marino's +/- was an insane +42, which was the fifth best in the entire NHL. 3 out of the four players who had better +/-'s were players for the Colorado Avalanche, who were the best team in the NHL last season. In other words, having a great +/- is a very valuable stat, especially if you're a defenseman. Marino was tied for 2nd among defensemen in +/- in the 2025-26 season, underscoring his great value to Utah. Utah didn't have a bad defense by any means last season, but it was pretty much not great either.
With the offense getting better over the offseason and, of course, the team being young, there is room for improvement; the main concern for Utah is probably its defense. Their newest goalie, Sebastian Cossa, whom they traded for as their main backup and future starter, needs a valuable defenseman like Marino. By locking up Marino, the team ensures it has a pretty good defenseman core of Marino, MacKenzie Weegar, and Mikail Sergachev. The deal isn't too expensive either, as Marino will make 6.75 million a year. After breaking out the way he did, Marino definitely earned it. The front office made another good move, it seems. What an offseason so far for Utah.
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