Former Blackhawk Possible Trade Destinations
The Arizona Coyotes acquired forward Nick Schmaltz in November of 2018. The Coyotes sent forwards Brendan Perlini and former #3 overall selection Dylan Strome to Chicago.
Schmaltz has not had much luck staying healthy. In his five years in Arizona he has only averaged 53 games a season due to injuires.
Make no mistake about it, when he's healthy he is a top scoring forward, averaging 0.78 points per game.
According to Michael DeRosa of nhltraderumors.me, Schmaltz could be headed to one of two destinations this summer if he is traded.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues had a less than impressive 2022-23 season, not qualifying for the playoffs. They unloaded players like Ryan O'Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Noel Acciari in order to gain assets to do a 're-tool.'
Adding a good scoring forward like Schmaltz could be a step in the right direction. He can play both centre and wing, and is consistent on the power play with 24 career goals, and 39 assists.
He is also a deadeye shooter with a career 14.3 percent shooting accuracy. He can be an excellent top-six forward for the Blues, who want to get back into Cup contention again.
The Coyotes are still in a rebuild and will be looking for draft picks and prospects. The Blues possess three first-round selections and could throw in prospect centre Dean Zach in QMJHL who has had 64 goals, 78 assists in 120 games. Or better yet, Zachary Bolduc who tore up the QMJHL with 50 goals, 60 assists in just 61 games.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are also very disappointed not making the postseason for the first time in 16 years. Therefore, they are looking to improve. With the uncertainty of Jason Zucker's future in Pittsburgh, Schmaltz could step right in.
The Penguins will have $20.2 million in cap space and can easily afford the contract of Schmaltz with a cap hit of $5.85 million through the 2025-26 season.
The Penguins are short on draft picks, so to entice the Arizona club, they will need to think about trading away a couple of prospects like Ty Smith and Pierre-Olivier Joseph. Both are just 23 years old and could anchor the Arizona blueline for a good amount of time going forward.
With young Dylan Guenther expected to be a mainstay on the Coyotes forward line next season, the loss of Schmaltz will be minimal. Building up their defence which needs improvement will be their main focus.
| POLL | ||
Nick Schmaltz, the former Blackhawk is expected to be traded. Where will he go? | ||
| The Blues have more to offer in a return | 62 | 31 % |
| The Penguins want to get back to the postseason | 74 | 37 % |
| He will stay in Arizona | 64 | 32 % |
| List of polls | ||
