Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Utah Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz has been a steady offensive player in recent years in the NHL, but nobody seems to talk about him. Schmaltz was a first round draft pick in 2014 by the Chicago Blackhawks but was traded in November 2018 to the Arizona Coyotes and has stayed with an organization that has since moved to Utah. The 6-foot, 1800-pound right wing has flourished particularly in the last four seasons, where Schmaltz has scored 20 or more goals each season. Early in this campaign, Schmaltz is on pace for a career year after posting a high of 63 points last season.
As the 29-year-old continues to produce, unrestricted free agency looms. The Utah Mammoth just signed Logan Cooley to an eight-year contract worth an annual salary of $10 million per season. Forwards Dylan Guenther and JJ Peterka are also signed to expensive long-term deals. The team will need to make a decision on Schmaltz, and rumors persist that the right-shot forward is available.
The Boston Bruins are a team in a “retool” that feels like a “rebuild”. The Bruins are also seeing many potential high-profile free agents signing with their current teams. Most recently, Martin Necas re-signed with the Colorado Avalanche, and the list of players that the Bruins could pursue to help a rebuilding offense is dwindling. Boston need centers, but they also need scoring wingers to go with Morgan Geekie and David Pastrnak. Schmaltz could fit nicely as a second-line scorer.
Schmaltz is also capable of playing center if needed. He showed that throughout the preseason, when Barrett Hayton, Logan Cooley, and Jack McBain were injured. Schmaltz entered the league as a center and could have the versatility the Bruins covet. Centers are more valuable, and the versatility of being able to play either position can really make the player attractive to teams.
Schmaltz will end up getting a significant raise above the $5.85 million he currently makes. In comparing him to other forwards with his production, Schmaltz could be looking at a deal around $7 to $7.5 million per season over six years. The Bruins will have that salary cap space to add Schmaltz.
Much of Boston’s rebuilding will be in drafting and developing young talent, but adding a veteran like Nick Schmaltz would help expedite the process and also make his cousin Jake Schmaltz, who plays for the Bruins’ AHL affiliate in Providence, happy too.
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