Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Utah Mammoth in action against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 03, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils won 4-1. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – As the team continues to push for a playoff spot down the stretch, the Utah Mammoth announced on Wednesday morning that they have signed forward Nick Schmaltz to an eight-year, $64M ($8M AAV) contract extension.
BREAKING: The Utah Mammoth have signed forward Nick Schmaltz to an 8 year, $64M ($8M AAV) contract extension. pic.twitter.com/3jyawt6j24
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 11, 2026
“There was never a doubt that Utah is where I want to play the rest of my career and I’m thrilled to sign an eight-year extension,” said Nick Schmaltz, forward for the Utah Mammoth.
“We have a great core of players, and I know we can do some special things together here in Utah. 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.”
Schmaltz is a 28-year-old forward from Madison, WI.
During his youth, he played junior ice hockey alongside his brother for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL.
After two seasons with the Gamblers, Schmaltz was selected in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.
However, before joining the Blackhawks, Schmaltz would play two seasons of college hockey with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.
During his second season with the program, Schmaltz won the 2016 NCAA Division I tournament, scoring the game-winning goal in the semifinal and registering an assist in the final.
Eventually making his professional debut, Schmaltz spent most of his rookie season with the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago’s AHL affiliate, before joining his NHL squad in 2017.
Despite an impressive first year with Chicago, the young forward would experience a dip in production in his second season with the Blackhawks and was eventually traded to Arizona in 2018.
Upon joining his new team, Schmaltz would miss the 2018-19 season due to injury. But during the following year, Schmaltz led the Coyotes with 45 points and cemented himself as a key building block for the franchise.
Since relocating to Utah, No. 8 has been a primary driving force for the Mammoth as they continue to emerge from a rebuild.
In two seasons, Schmaltz has registered 122 points while playing wing, center and on special teams.
Bringing back Schmaltz at this point in the rebuild was absolutely critical for the Mammoth.
In addition to being Clayton Keller’s partner in crime, No. 8 will keep Utah competitive as they strive to become a consistent playoff team but still need to buy time for their upcoming prospects.
Rather than letting Schmaltz walk in free agency and taking a step back with a gaping hole in their top six, Utah had the ability to sign him for the desired term which also kept the price down.
If they refused, the veteran forward would’ve become the most sought-after free agent with an opportunity to make more money.
Instead, he greatly desired to remain in Salt Lake City for the long haul and became the seventh player to sign four years or longer with Utah.
“We are thrilled that Nick chose Utah and wants to remain with the team for the next eight years,” said Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Mammoth.
“Nick is a tremendous player and person who is very deserving of this contract. We expect him to continue producing on the ice and leading our young, skilled forwards for years to come. This is another great day for Mammoth fans and our organization.”
After signing the extension, the contract will see No. 8 through the 2033-34 season and includes an eight-team no-trade-clause over the finals two years.
According to Puck Pedia, the contract is also structured to only pay Schmaltz $6M over the final two seasons, allowing Utah to move him a little bit easier if need be.
Nick Schmaltz #TusksUp 8 yr x $8M ext:
Year 1-3 $10M Salary
Year 4-5 $8M Salary
Year 6-8 $6M SalaryNo Move clause now through Year 2, No Trade Year 3/4, 16 team No Trade Year 5/6, 8 team No Trade Year 7/8
Rep’d by Kurt Overhardt @the_team_hockey https://t.co/PDJnZXg3pD
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 11, 2026
Notably, if the NHL does in fact continue to expand in a few years, Schmaltz would be eligible to be selected in an expansion draft.
The Utah Mammoth will begin a short two game home stand against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
