Utah Signs D-Man John Marino to Mammoth Extension

The Utah Mammoth have signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year extension worth $6.75 million AAV, keeping the 29-year-old blueliner with the club and avoiding free agency next summer. The contract is structured with $8 million in Years 1-4, stepping down to $6 million in Years 5-6, and $5 million in the final two years, all in salary.

It includes a full no-movement clause immediately through Year 1, an NTC in Years 2-4, and modified no-trade protection scaling down from 16 teams to 8 teams over the back half of the deal.

8️⃣ more years of Johnny!

We have signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year contract extension. pic.twitter.com/FJG2S916Th

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) July 21, 2026

The term reflects the team’s desire to lock up a key part of their blue line. Marino’s commitment reflects his desire to have contract certainty, even as other contracts signed this week were for shorter terms. Players are aware the salary cap is going to increase. Marino and the Mammoth didn’t want to have to deal with any of that guesswork. They’re both locking in now.

Both members of Utah’s front office made the messaging clear. President of Hockey Operations Chris Armstrong called Marino “an invaluable cornerstone for our franchise,” pointing to his professionalism and puck-moving ability. GM Bill Armstrong went further, describing him as “a foundational piece of our future,” specifically praising his transition play and the calmness he brings that the rest of the group feeds off of in high-pressure moments.

Marino profiles as a two-way, top-four puck-mover — a stabilizing, low-physicality defender with strong stickwork, reliable exits under pressure, and an underrated ability to break out of his own zone under duress.

At $6.75 million AAV across eight years, Utah is betting that Marino’s defensive reliability and puck-moving skill age gracefully into his mid-30s — a long runway for a player who isn’t the flashiest name on the back end, but one both Armstrongs clearly view as a stabilizing piece they didn’t want to risk losing.

Next: The Pressure is Building on Patrick Kane’s Free Agency Decision