The core of the Utah Mammoth is shaping up nicely this summer with the addition of JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres. The captain, Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Barrett Hayton, and Dylan Guenther are rounding out the top forwards. On defense, Mikhail Sergachev is the main piece of the future, with Michael Kesselring headed to Buffalo. One player in limbo is forward Nick Schmaltz.
Schmaltz has been a consistent offensive producer for the Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes, and Utah Mammoth in his 9-year career. The 29-year-old has reached 20 goals in five of those nine seasons, with the last four all having at least 20 goals. The first year in Utah, Schmaltz had a career high in points with 63.
Still, Schmaltz is on the outside looking in right now with one year remaining on his contract. The $5,850,000 salary cap hit is manageable right now, but surely Schmaltz will be looking to cash in on his solid career before heading into his 30s.
Cooley and Hayton are both restricted free agents this summer and will command significant raises. The Mammoth currently has $6,682,143 in salary cap space per PuckPedia. Schmaltz will be one of seven unrestricted free agents for Utah next summer. The team's quality in depth will need to be improved in areas after big money has been committed to the top-tier players, so that may result in Schmaltz being sacrificed.
All is quiet around the NHL right now, but don't be surprised to see a few trades before training camps open, as well as free agents signing new contracts or professional tryouts.
On one hand, Utah could use the 63-point production this season, but no organization wants to lose a player for nothing at the end of a contract. Should Utah explore a trade now or even at the deadline? If Utah is in the playoff race, as expected by the front office, Schmaltz's scoring depth will be needed, and grabbing a few draft choices will not help the immediate roster.
If Utah waits to explore a trade involving Schmaltz, it may be for a bigger asset. A player that becomes available on a team that is contending would make Schmaltz a commodity, as he could help that team immediately.
Depending on how the season begins, the Mammoth could not only be contending for the playoffs but hold one of the hottest trade chips at the NHL deadline. Either way, Bill Armstrong has some work to do before next summer.