Nick Schmaltz Comes Off The Market With 'Mammoth' 8-Year Extension

Scratch yet another name off the list of notable unrestricted free agents this summer. The Utah Mammoth have signed top-line center Nick Schmaltz to an eight-year extension worth $64 million ($8M AAV).

STAYING IN UTAH 🦣

The Mammoth have signed Nick Schmaltz to an eight-year extension ✍️ pic.twitter.com/5m9ogxI2Ds
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 11, 2026

It seems like a bit of a team-friendly deal for a top-line center these days, especially taking into consideration that Schmaltz would have been one of the top two (only two) notable offensive stars on the open market, along with the Buffalo Sabres' Alex Tuch.

The deal comes with a full no-movement clause for the first two seasons, then a full no-trade clause for two seasons, followed by a 16-team no-trade list for a couple of years, and reverting to an 8-team no-trade list for the final two seasons. Schmaltz is 30, so the eight-year term is lengthier than expected, but it also feels like the team made him "pay" for that term plus the no-trade clauses with a lower AAV.

Mammoth confirm much-rumoured Nick Schmaltz extension at 8 x $8M

Longer term than I expected, but Utah compromises on term, as player compromises on dollars. In the end, both get what they want — as Schmaltz stays put
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 11, 2026

Schmaltz, while in his fifth consecutive 20-goal season, has never had more than 63 points in a season, though he's on target to blow past that this year, with 59 through 65 games. He also has a career-high 24 goals to this point. Add in a career-best plus/minus rating of +21, and Schmaltz has had himself a prime contract year.

He's a premier playmaker and a consistent scorer, and brings versatility as well, able to play on the wing as well as at the pivot.

The Mammoth currently sit in the top Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, which would give them the franchise's first playoff berth since 2020.

In 653 NHL games, Schmaltz has 166 goals and 482 points.