In a move that solidifies their roster for the foreseeable future, the Utah Mammoth have locked in forward Nick Schmaltz with an eight-year extension worth $64 million, averaging $8 million per season. As Schmaltz was poised to become a highly sought-after unrestricted free agent this summer, this deal ensures he remains a key player for Utah through the 2033-34 season.
Notably, the contract is structured without signing bonuses, focusing solely on base salary. Schmaltz will earn $10 million annually from 2026-27 to 2028-29, $8 million from 2029-30 to 2030-31, and $6 million from 2031-32 to 2033-34.
The contract includes a no-movement clause for the first two years, transitioning to a full no-trade clause in 2028-29, and then to a 16-team no-trade list in 2030-31, followed by an eight-team list in 2032-33.
With an upcoming free agency class that might lack depth, Schmaltz was set to be a top target. Alongside Alex Tuch, he was one of the few forwards available who could seamlessly fit into a first-line role, aside from the likes of Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin.
Schmaltz's decision to stay with the Mammoth is hardly surprising. He's been a fixture in the organization for nearly seven seasons and over 500 games, dating back to his acquisition from the Blackhawks by the Mammoth’s predecessor, the Coyotes, in 2019.
Previously, he committed to a long-term deal with a seven-year contract at $5.85 million per season. This new contract represents only a slight increase in cap hit percentage from 7.2% to 7.7%, despite a significant rise in actual salary.
While Schmaltz hasn't reached the 70-point mark in a single season, he's on the verge of securing his third consecutive 60-point campaign and could finish with 75 points if he maintains his current pace. He previously surpassed the 0.90 points per game threshold in back-to-back seasons with Arizona, though injuries limited his playtime to about 75% of those seasons.
At 30, Schmaltz is experiencing a resurgence after a couple of less productive years. He's remained healthy, but his points per game dipped to 0.77 during Arizona’s final season and Utah’s first. His career-worst ratings of -16 and -15 came during this period.
Despite these challenges, Schmaltz has consistently been a strong play-driving forward. His underlying numbers have remained solid, and this season, he's excelled with a 55.0% control of shot attempts, 55.2% of expected goals, and 55.2% of scoring chances at 5-on-5. Although naturally a center, he's often played on the wing but has returned to the center position this year, stepping up as Utah’s top-line pivot alongside Clayton Keller and a rotation of Lawson Crouse, Dylan Guenther, and JJ Peterka.
Schmaltz's value lies in his steady production and playmaking ability. While he may not have a star-level presence or a physical game, his consistent top-six performance and versatility make him a valuable asset for Utah, especially as they continue to develop their forward prospects.
With Schmaltz's extension in place, Utah has $17.9 million in projected cap space for next season, with eight roster spots to fill, averaging $2.24 million per player. Fortunately, they don't face any impending high-cost signings.