The Arizona Coyotes signed center Nick Schmaltz to a 7-year contract extension worth $40.95 million, or $5.85 million per season. This contract carries him through the 2026 season.

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Nick Schmaltz Signs Extension With the Arizona Coyotes

Over his 3-year NHL career Schmaltz has played for the Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks. He has put up 34 goals and 71 assists for 105 career points in 179 career games. He was originally drafted in the 1st round, 20th overall of the 2014 NHL draft by the Blackhawks.

This season he has scored 7 goals and 18 assists for 25 points. This was split between the Coyotes and Blackhawks this season. On the Coyotes, Schmaltz has 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points in 17 games. He also has 8 minutes in penalties this season. His possession numbers are 49.7 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -1.3 this season.

“Nick is a highly skilled, creative, young center with extremely high upside,” General Manager John Chayka said in a release. “Getting Nick signed to a long-term extension is another positive step towards building a sustainable contender here in the Valley. Ownership continues to commit the resources necessary to solidify our core group of players for years to come.”

What This Means for the Future

For the Coyotes, this means they are locking up a young piece for the long term. Schmaltz was recently acquired in the trade that included Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini, so to see the team happy enough with there decision to give him a long term extension is reassuring to see as Coyotes fans. Schmaltz has played well since coming to Arizona, having 14 points in 17 games so far this season. With the Coyotes fighting for a playoff spot, this could provide as one less distraction for the young center.

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