Utah HC: Does Barrett Hayton Become a Top 6 Center? – Hockey Writers – Utah Hockey Club

It seems like a long time ago since the Arizona Coyotes had a true center on the roster. That’s not to say that general managers haven’t faced the problem – they certainly have, from Kyle Turris, who many would agree was rushed to the NHL, to Dylan Strome, who didn’t make it out of Arizona but now you see. with some degree of success with the Washington Capitals.

Related: Barrett Hayton: Draft Bust – Or He Could Go Top Six

Obviously, it’s harder said than done, and these past efforts reflect that. During the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, former general manager John Chayka drafted Barrett Hayton, who many thought was a reach. At their point, he was, but he didn’t seem to fit the mold of the Coyotes, and consistent injuries plagued him.

Even though it’s still early days for the Utah Hockey Club, the 24-year-old is now seeing great success, and he could be what Utah is looking for in a center; one in their yard at all times.

Hayton’s Early Season Success Is A Long Time Coming

From playing in the American Hockey League, struggling to keep pace at the NHL level, to having five points in four games to start the 2024-25 season, Hayton has come a long way. In the past, Hayton has struggled with consistency. He’ll have stretches where he’ll look unstoppable, but at times it seems like he shouldn’t be in the NHL; thankfully, this season, he looks like one of the best players on the ice and there are a few reasons why.

This may sound strange, but he was not injured. Last season, he played in just 33 games, scoring three goals and 10 points, and those aren’t top totals by any measure. This season, he already has three goals and five points in four games, as mentioned above, and he’s driving the net to create tons of space for teammates Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, with whom he’s built incredible chemistry.

Since undergoing surgery late in the 2022-23 season, fans and coaching staff have seen what he can do and his potential ceiling, which has been shown to be too high and untapped.

What Is Hayton’s Ceiling & Can He Sustain This Pace?

It’s always fun to speculate what a player’s ceiling might be. It’s fun and, more often than not, makes you excited about a player’s abilities. With Hayton, that’s exactly what it is; he showed a strong performance, and it seems that no one can stop him, especially when that first line clicks. However, can he maintain this pace for an entire 82-game season?

Well, we don’t know, but we do know that when he’s healthy, he can do wonders, and many times, it won’t even show on the stat sheet. For example, getting to the net and creating endless space for Keller and Schmaltz is something he does very well, and if there is a loose transition, he will put it in the back of the net.

If Hayton can be a 50 to 60 point producer in the NHL in his first season, Utah has a solid top six center this season and next, if not for the foreseeable future if he re-signs. It only matters if he can back it up, and early on, he did.

Hayton Has All The Power To Make A Name For Himself This Season

It’s still very early in the season, there’s no doubt about that, but so far, the results are promising to say the least. Hayton’s journey isn’t the usual route taken by the top five, but it’s not too late either way, considering he’s only 24 years old. Add to that the fact that early results showed that Utah is much better than last season. (like the Coyotes) and could even make a playoff push or at least stay in the hunt late in the season. Still, Hayton is blossoming into what he intended to be when he was drafted by Chayka in 2018 and could look to lift Utah this season and beyond.