Nick Schmaltz had a bright future in Chicago, but the former 2014 first round pick only stayed with the Blackhawks for a short time. Schmaltz found himself in an ideal situation, playing on a line with Patrick Kane. While Schmaltz never seemed to live up to the hype surrounding him in the Windy City, he has proven to be a consistent offensive threat.
According to the Athletic, Nick Schmaltz may be on his way out of Arizona. The 27 year old forward now has a modified no movement clause and carries a salary cap hit of $5,850,000 until the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season. Over the last two seasons, Schmaltz has skated in 126 games, tallying 45 goals and 72 assists while carrying a positive +/-.
Interestingly enough, Schmaltz may be a perfect fit for the Blackhawks to add this offseason. With all of the doubt and uncertainty surrounding the Coyotes regarding possible relocation, Schmaltz may be dealt at a discount. The Blackhawks will need to spend roughly $20 million to reach the cap floor and can add an experienced player with some offensive skill to the mix of young forwards. Schmaltz has shown that he can play the wings as well, which could make him a great fit to play alongside Connor Bedard.
