The Arizona Coyotes have grown up fairly quickly, and are surprising contenders to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the regular season finale draws near. With that being said, the organization has realized that they have something good going and want to keep it around for the foreseeable future. They started that process on Saturday, giving center Nick Schmaltz a seven-year contract extension. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the contract has been signed and made official, keeping the 23-year-old with the up and coming Coyotes through the 2025-2026 season.
Schmaltz came over from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade this past November, which sent Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini back to the Windy City. In 17 games with the Coyotes, Schmatlz scored five goals and had nine assists, but that was before going down with a season-ending knee injury in December. He has already started skating again as part of his rehabilitation, and a new contract will also boost his confidence and give him motivation as he looks to return for the 2019-2020 season.
In 78 games with the Blackhawks last season, the center set career highs with 21 goals and 31 assists, Through 40 combined games this season, he finished with seven goals and 18 assists, and now has 34 goals and 71 assists over 179 career NHL games. The Coyotes are still in a fight for a playoff spot in the West, as they sit just three points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the second and final Wild Card spot. They will be back at it on Sunday afternoon, hosting the Minnesota Wild at Gila River Arena.
Schmaltz came over from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade this past November, which sent Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini back to the Windy City. In 17 games with the Coyotes, Schmatlz scored five goals and had nine assists, but that was before going down with a season-ending knee injury in December. He has already started skating again as part of his rehabilitation, and a new contract will also boost his confidence and give him motivation as he looks to return for the 2019-2020 season.
In 78 games with the Blackhawks last season, the center set career highs with 21 goals and 31 assists, Through 40 combined games this season, he finished with seven goals and 18 assists, and now has 34 goals and 71 assists over 179 career NHL games. The Coyotes are still in a fight for a playoff spot in the West, as they sit just three points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the second and final Wild Card spot. They will be back at it on Sunday afternoon, hosting the Minnesota Wild at Gila River Arena.
