Utah Signs John Marino to Eight-Year, $54M Extension

The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year contract extension worth $54 million, the team announced Tuesday. The deal carries an average annual value of $6.75 million and keeps Marino under contract through the 2034-35 season.

Marino, 28, is entering the final year of a six-year, $26.4 million contract he signed with Pittsburgh in January 2021. He was acquired from New Jersey in June 2024 in a trade that sent a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick to the Devils.

The North Easton, Massachusetts native posted career highs across the board in 2025-26, his first season with Utah. He recorded four goals and 32 assists for 36 points in 80 games, the most games he has played in a single season. His 36 points ranked second among Utah defensemen, and his plus-42 rating led the team.

Marino's pairing with Nate Schmidt produced strong results. The duo was on the ice for 63 Utah goals, second most in the NHL, and finished with a plus-29 defensive rating, best in the league. Marino blocked 68 shots and recorded 23 takeaways while posting just 16 penalty minutes, the lowest total of his career in a full season. His disciplined play earned him votes for the Lady Byng Trophy.

The extension comes as Utah looks to lock down its core. Marino was set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He has appeared in 328 career NHL games with Utah, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh, recording 18 goals and 89 assists for 107 points.

Utah finished the 2025-26 regular season strong but fell to Vegas in six games in the first round of the playoffs.