We know what it'll take for Mammoth to trade Nick Schmaltz
We know what it’ll take for Mammoth to trade Nick Schmaltz originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Utah Mammoth are having a strong season.
Advertisement
Nick Schmaltz could be traded anyway.
That’s the reality framed in a new article by ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski on Thursday. Simply put, the money in Schmaltz’s future might be tough.
“Schmaltz is a funny one,” Wyshynski wirtes. “He has clearly endeared himself to Mammoth fans and has played a huge role in their push for a playoff seed with 53 points in 57 games, centering star Clayton Keller. But the 30-year-old is in line for a significant raise from his $5.85 million AAV, and talks haven’t exactly been sunshine and roses in the past. Dave Pagnotta of Daily Faceoff noted that last summer, Schmaltz and the Mammoth discussed possible trade destinations where he’d be willing to sign an extension.”
OK, so that’s the ‘why’ for the Mammoth potentially trading Schmaltz.
Advertisement
But the good news for Utah fans is that Wyshynski doesn’t stop there. He also explains what it would take to deal Schmaltz, and it wouldn’t be easy.
“Given Utah’s playoff potential, it likely only makes sense to deal Schmaltz in a ‘hockey trade’ for a significant roster upgrade,” Wyshynski writes.
He’s using “hockey trade” to signify a deal that isn’t about money or prospects so much as it is about making things better on the ice for the Mammoth.
Considering that Schmaltz already makes things really good for Utah, it’d be a tough bar to clear, but potentially not impossible.
The NHL’s trade deadline is March 6. Mammoth fans will have to hold their breaths to see whether one of their favorite players gets moved or not.