Completed trade haunts the Chicago Blackhawks organization

But without a big trade in 2018, Schmaltz would have never arrived in Arizona.

On November 25th, 2018 there was a trade which sent Brendan Perlini and Dylan Strome to the Blackhawks, for Nick Schmaltz.

This trade was expected to give all three players involved a new start on their respective teams.

Wth Bowman in charge the Coyotes and Blackhawks were frequent trade partners, as Schmaltz joined Vinnie Hinistroza, Richard Panik, and Jordan Oesterle in Arizona. Both of which, arrived in Arizona with Marian Hossa's cap hit, in July 2018, along with picks and assets swapped in the deal.

In January 2018, the Blackhawks sent Panik and Laurent Dauphin to Arizona in exchange for Adam Clending and Anthony Duclair.

Schmaltz was selected by the Blackhawks 20th overall in the 1st round of the 2014 NHL Draft. His 2nd season with the club in 2017-2018 saw him post a career-high 52 points( 21 G, 31 A). After Joel Quenneville was let go in 2018-2019 the Blackhawks course-corrected.

This would result in Schmaltz being moved, since the former 1st rounder produced only 11 points in 23 games with the Hawks. The move would be a positive move for the Coyotes, with his upside not being considered at the time.

Despite dealing with injuries the majority of his tenure in Arizona, Schmaltz has been a consistent performer. This year he played 79 games, posting 61 points( 22 G, 39 A) posting a personal best in assists. His six-year tenure has been solid thus far.

Schmaltz is a reliable player whom Andre Tourigny relies upon as a 1st line center and has played with everyone from Clayton Keller, to Travis Boyd, Nick Bjugstad and Barrett Hayton.

Prior to this season, he has had two back-to-back 50+ point season with the Coyotes as well. John Chayka had literally fleeced Stan Bowman.

Dylan Strome would only play four years in Chicago, and would experience his best season with the Blackhawks once he arrived. Posting 51 points( 17 G, 34 A) in 58 games in 2018-2019. Strome would experience a slight decline next season with a 13 point difference. After 2020-2021, he would play 40 games only notch 17 points.

In the finaly year of his $3 M AAV would score 48 points in 69 games, and in 2022 would sign with the Washington Capitals, signing a 5-year, $25 Million total AAV contract.

In Washington, Strome has posted back-to-back 60+ point seasons with the Capitals. Despite being given the tools for success, he never was able to make it work in Chicago.

Brendan Perlini played one and-a half season(s) with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring only 12 goals and 15 points in 47 points. He would score his only career hat-trick in a revenge game against the Coyotes on March 12, 2019 with a 7-1 win. In 2018, he would be sent to Detroit for defenseman Alec Regula, who would only score one goal in 22 games with the Blackhawks before being traded to the Bruins.

Overall, it's easy to see the Coyotes have won this trade, and signifies another one of Stan Bowman's mistakes.

Source: The Hockey Writers
Reviewing the Coyotes' Trade for Nick Schmaltz