Mammoth re-sign Nick Schmaltz to eight-year extension

In a statement, Schmaltz stated that there was “never a doubt” that he wanted to spend the rest of his career with the Mammoth, and hopes the team can continue to have success for years to come.

“We have a great core of players, and I know we can do some special things together here in Utah,” Schmaltz said. “We have a very bright future, and I am thankful to Ryan and Ashley Smith for wanting me to be a part of the group that will one day bring a Stanley Cup to Utah, and grateful for the incredible fan base who always show up and support the Mammoth.”

It’s a nice pay bump for the 30-year-old, who’s in the final season of a seven-year contract he signed in March 2019, when the franchise was known as the Arizona Coyotes. That deal has a cap hit of $5.85 million.

Despite the team’s tumultuous tenure in Arizona, Schmaltz remained a constant producer for a Coyotes team that struggled to stay afloat. When the team moved to Salt Lake City, the Madison, Wis. native and the team around him has flourished. After posting a career-high 63 points last season, he’s on his way to having the best performance of his NHL tenure.

Schmaltz has already scored a career-best 24 goals in 65 games thus far, notching 35 assists and 59 points as well, sitting second on the team in scoring behind Clayton Keller. His efforts have benefited a Mammoth team that is striving to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time.

In 653 regular-season games in the NHL, Schmaltz has scored 166 goals and 316 assists for 482 points. He hasn’t seen any postseason action since he was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017.

The Mammoth (34-26-5) are fourth in the Central Division, holding onto the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Utah is six points clear of ninth place heading into Wednesday’s action.