NHL Insiders: Coyotes Forward "Too Expensive To Keep Around"

The Arizona Coyotes have plenty of off-ice issues to deal with these days, like finding a new home. With gate receipts a bust, and other financial problems, the team has to keep costs down. 

Nick Schmaltz has three years left on his deal at a $5.85M cap hit.

He's owed $24.45M, or $8.15M per season.

I'd bet on him getting traded to a big market this offseason and I quite like him.

— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) May 10, 2023

According to NHL Insiders Michael Russo and Eric Duhatschek, "Schmaltz may simply be too expensive to keep around."

The AAV on his current long-term contract is a reasonable $5.85M. But because it's mostly backloaded, he's still owed an average of $8.15M per season for the remaining three years on the deal. 

And here's the rub: He has a 10-team no-trade clause that kicks in on July 1. If the 'Yotes are going to try to deal the 7-year veteran, they might be well-advised to do so in the next five or six weeks. 

And as the team continues its rebuild, now would be the time to move him, both to bring in some valuable young prospects or draft picks, plus to save the franchise some cash. Paying a decent player over $8M per year during a rebuild isn't the most cost-conscious way to operate. 

The 27-year-old Schmaltz was a name to watch at this year's trade deadline, and he should be once again over the next several weeks. 

Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports