SALT LAKE CITY – While NHL free agency is still nearly six months away, the Utah Mammoth will soon face a sizable decision regarding the future of 29-year-old forward Nick Schmaltz.
As a pending free agent this summer, Schmaltz will have the ability to choose where he wants to play hockey for the foreseeable future.
With that in mind, the Mammoth need to ask themselves the following question:
Do they see No. 8 as a critical piece of their future as they begin to emerge from the initial stages of a rebuild?
Should the Utah Mammoth bring back Nick Schmaltz?
The simple answer?
Yes.
The Utah Mammoth should absolutely make re-signing Schmaltz a priority this summer.
But let’s dig a little deeper and outline exactly why he should be at the top of their free agency list in 2026.
Schmaltz has played ‘possessed’ hockey for the Utah Mammoth this season
While he doesn’t boast an overly flashy game, Schmaltz is a very gifted hockey player with a lot of intangibles.
Utilizing his high hockey IQ, No. 8 is able to dominate the small facets of the game that often go unnoticed.
For example, Schmaltz consistently wins puck battles because of his ability to get in behind the defense, effectively cut off opposing players to regain possession and then generate dangerous scoring chances.
Schmaltzy stays hot! 🙌
🚨 3-1, Utah. pic.twitter.com/orvx6IwXvc
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 17, 2026
He’s not a dominant physical player but he doesn’t necessarily need to be.
Rather, he often positions himself to either absorb contact and push through or completely avoid it altogether.
“He’s super smart,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said of Schmaltz. “He’s always been really smart, and he’s really engaged right now. Since the start of the season he has been engaged, he has that intensity away from the puck, and his skill speaks for itself.”
“It’s what he does away from the puck for me that separates him…Offensively, the way he drives to the net, screens the goalie, and recovers loose pucks. He’s really good at loose puck recovery.”
But Schmaltz’s impact goes beyond just the offensive zone as he boasts a complete 200-foot-game and is always engaged defensively.
According to NHL Network Analyst Mike Kelly, Schmaltz leads all forwards in the NHL with 80 stick checks.
Against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 21, No. 8 registered his most important stick check of the season as he stripped Garnet Hathaway in front of an empty net with a chance to ice the game.
Instead, Schmaltz exhausted himself to get back and stole the puck to keep Utah alive.
While Keller’s goals were absolutely mesmerizing, this was the play of the game.
99% of the time that’s an empty netter but Schmaltz didn’t give up. He refused to quit and won possession back.
Utah needs to bring 8 back this summer.pic.twitter.com/ErpxX2yyCk
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 22, 2026
“You see Keller have two huge goals, but guys are saying the play of the game was that Schmaltz strip…that’s the fight we had to show. Never give up. If we could sum it up into one play, it’s that play right there,” defenseman Sean Durzi explained.
“Nine other guys on the ice gave up on the play…just watch the video. It’s a pretty good play.”
Durzi explains the importance of Schmaltz’s game saving defensive play against Philly:
“You see Keller have two huge goals but guys are saying the play of the game was that Schmaltz strip…that’s the fight we had to show.”
“Nine other guys on the ice gave up on the play.” pic.twitter.com/VxduVKfxrf
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 22, 2026
So, while it’s easy to overlook that specific sequence and focus more on the two mesmerizing goals by Clayton Keller that eventually won the game, those don’t happen without Schmaltz’s relentless effort.
“We talked about it in the room after, none of this happens if Nick Schmaltz doesn’t backcheck and give everything he’s got to strip them before they score on the empty net,” Clayton Keller said following the victory over Philadelphia.
“That’s the difference sometimes.”
The Schmaltz-Keller connection needs to be prioritized
While the seven-game home stand was full of highlight plays and wild stats, one of the most impressive accomplishments was during the victory over the St. Louis when Schmaltz and Keller factored on the same goal for the 198th time for the highest total by a pair of U.S.-born teammates in the history of the NHL.
That speaks volumes to not only their individual talent, but their ability to play as one mind on the ice.
Schmaltz and Keller have factored on the same goal for the 198th time for the highest total by a pair of U.S.-born teammates in @NHL history 🤯 pic.twitter.com/EzvM7gwV03
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 10, 2026
“We talk for years about Kells and Schmaltz,” Tourigny said. “You cannot explain that. It just clicks between two players.”
“We had a discussion with Kells, and he was talking about how it’s tough to duplicate that. It’s not about how good he is, it’s about how good of a fit they are and they think alike.”
Like Keller explained to Tourigny, that kind of connection is difficult to replicate.
It takes years of hard work on the same line and very few players are even given the opportunity to develop with one particular linemate as rosters are ever changing.
So, that connection needs to be heavily valued and considered in terms of bringing Schmaltz back.
Not just from a production standpoint as the two have shared points on 26 goals this season but from the perspective of keeping Keller happy as well.
With two more seasons left on the captain’s contract, it would only benefit the Mammoth to keep his favorite teammate around.
“We know where each other are at all times on the ice,” Schmaltz explained. “It’s been a heck of a ride playing with him and hopefully we’ve got many more great memories ahead.”
What would it take to keep Schmaltz around, and does he want to come back?
According to PuckPedia, the Utah Mammoth will have roughly $26M in cap space at the end of the 2025-26 season as players such as Schmaltz, Alexander Kerfoot, Ian Cole, Barrett Hayton, Kevin Stenlund, Vitek Vanecek, Nick DeSimone, Kailer Yamamoto and Michael Carcone all come off the books.
So, there’s certainly plenty of cash to prioritize Schmaltz, but what would it realistically take to get a deal done with the rising cap and his performance this season?
Depends on what they want to do.
As a soon to be 30-year-old, a contract would likely be in the ballpark of four to six years.
In terms of cash, after making $5.85M AAV over the last seven seasons, Schmaltz will undoubtedly be up for a sizable pay raise that will probably be in the $7M AAV to $10M AAV range.
Is he worth it?
As of right now, he seems to be and if the Mammoth aren’t willing to pay him, somebody else will.
But does he even want to play in Utah after this season?
According to Schmaltz, he sees a bright future in Salt Lake City and it’s something he’d like to continue to be a part of.
“It’s been fun,” Schmaltz told KSL Sports. “I’ve enjoyed every second of it here. The organization has been awesome. The team is continuing to get better.”
“We’re building something special here so I’m hopeful to be part of the future.”
Overall, Schmaltz is proving that he’s a player the Mammoth should bring back this offseason.
In addition to his 200-foot-game and consistent point production, No. 8 is a player that would be incredibly difficult to replace as he impacts the game in all three zones and has developed an undeniable chemistry with Keller.
For those reasons, Schmaltz should be one of their top priorities, if not the top priority heading into 2026-27.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
The Utah Mammoth will begin a four-game road trip against the Nashville Predators on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
