On Wednesday, the Utah Mammoth extended star forward Nick Schmaltz to an eight-year, $64 million deal.
For the 30-year-old, this likely cements Schmaltz as a Mammoth for life, with his contract set to expire in 2034. The 6’0″ center has put up strong numbers in 2025-26, but as age catches up, will eight years prove to be too much term??
Legendary NHL Defenseman Comes to Nick Schmaltz’s Aid Amid New Contract
Hall of Fame blueliner Chris Pronger joined the conversation on X, where he and a fan discussed the new deal for Schmaltz. The fan claimed they would have liked to see Utah manage the clock rather than the cap on this occasion. Furthermore, signing a player like St. Louis forward Robert Thomas would have provided more intrigue.
I understand that but there is more nuance to it. Who will replace him? They just found out the price tag to get Thomas and didn’t want to pay it. I agree the drop off in year 6,7 & 8 will be sharp most likely but as his brother says that’s baseball. We will see if it works
— Chris Pronger (@chrispronger) March 11, 2026
Pronger responded, saying the asking price for a player like Thomas may have simply been too steep.
“I understand that, but there is more nuance to it,” said Pronger. “Who will replace him? They just found out the price tag to get Thomas and didn’t want to pay it. I agree the drop off in year 6,7, and 8 will be sharp most likely, but as his brother says, ‘That’s baseball.’ We will see if it works.”
Schmaltz remains one of the elder statesmen on a youthful Utah club. Primarily centering the first line, he has played between Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse this season. The three have 155 combined points, 434 shots on goal, and each averages over 16 minutes of ice time per tilt.
With undeniable chemistry between the three, Pronger may be correct in saying that finding a replacement for Schmaltz would be difficult.
Schmaltz is on pace to set career highs across the board as Utah surges toward a playoff berth. The former first-round pick has already eclipsed a career high in goals this season (24) and is well on his way to surpassing highs in assists (43) and points (63).
However, arguably the most impressive aspect of the Wisconsin native’s game this season is his 200-foot play. At a plus-21, Schmaltz is well past his career high in plus-minus (10), which came in his rookie season, when the youngster played under 14 minutes a night.
While the term on his new deal may be shocking to some, what Schmaltz brings to Utah is invaluable. Comparatively, if Utah were to add someone like the aforementioned Thomas, who is four years younger, the term would have been similar, with the price tag likely heftier.
As time moves along, will Utah fans look back fondly on general manager Bill Armstrong’s move, or will it later bite the club in the rear?
