{"id":482662,"date":"2026-01-27T13:08:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T18:08:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=482662"},"modified":"2026-01-27T13:08:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T18:08:41","slug":"utah-mammoth-nick-schmaltz-contract-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/27\/utah-mammoth-nick-schmaltz-contract-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Should the Utah Mammoth Give Nick Schmaltz a Contract Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a 2-0 shutout defeat on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a><\/span>, the <\/span>Utah Mammoth<\/span><\/a> failed to extend their win streak to five games. Utah still continues to be one of the hottest teams in the NHL. With a 27-21-4 record and 58 points, the Mammoth currently hold the first Stanley Cup Playoff Wild Card spot in the Western Conference; three points ahead of the Seattle Kraken<\/a>, San Jose Sharks<\/a>, and Los Angeles Kings<\/a>. While Clayton Keller<\/a> leads the team in points, Nick Schmaltz<\/a> has gone under the radar as a top player for Utah. Since the new year began, Utah has gone 9-3 and earned points in ten of the games.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Schmaltz\u2019s current play could earn himself a big offer when his current contract expires this summer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is a Nick Schmaltz Extension the Right Move for the Utah Mammoth?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Because Schmaltz is having a great season for the Mammoth, questions about Utah\u2019s plans for him have risen. There were rumours that Utah was shopping the 29-year-old forward last off-season, but the team ultimately decided to keep him. Now, general manager Bill Armstrong confirmed to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period<\/a>, that the Mammoth and Schmaltz are holding off on contract talks to focus on the season.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the final season of a seven-year, $40.95 million deal, Utah will need to decide prior to the trade deadline if Schmaltz is in the team\u2019s future plans. Mammoth Insider Cole Bagley of KSL Sports believes that Utah will make re-signing Schmaltz one of their priorities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schmaltz has taken on a larger role as Utah\u2019s number one centre with the absence of Logan Cooley<\/a>, who\u2019s still <\/span>out of action<\/span><\/a> due to a lower-body injury. In the 23 games since Cooley went on injured reserve, Schmaltz has really stepped up for the Mammoth. He\u2019s recorded 22 points over that stretch.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Schmaltzy stays hot! \ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8 3-1, Utah. pic.twitter.com\/orvx6IwXvc<\/a><\/p>\n

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n