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NHL Trade Grade: Arizona Coyotes initial winners of Nick Schmaltz trade

By Dave Stevenson

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 21: Chicago Blackhawks center Nick Schmaltz (8) during a pause in the action during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks on November 21, 2018, at Capital One Arena, in Washington, D.C.The Capitals defeated the Blackhawks 4-2.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 21: Chicago Blackhawks center Nick Schmaltz (8) during a pause in the action during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks on November 21, 2018, at Capital One Arena, in Washington, D.C.The Capitals defeated the Blackhawks 4-2.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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After acquiring Nick Schmaltz from the Chicago Blackhawks, the Arizona Coyotes are hoping he can continue to develop into a potential top center. 

For some odd reason, the Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks really like making trades together. It’s an annual tradition. This year, lightning has struck twice. During the summer, the Coyotes famously took on Marian Hossa‘s contract. This time around, Arizona’s taking on exciting young center Nick Schmaltz.

He didn’t come at a cheap price, though. The Coyotes surrendered talented young forwards Brendan Perlini and Dylan Strome to the Blackhawks for Schmaltz. It’s a hefty price, but if he continues to develop, the Coyotes should emerge from this trade as the winners.

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Strictly looking at the present, it’s hard to argue Arizona didn’t get the best player right now. Schmaltz has struggled a bit but still has 11 points in 23 games, which isn’t too shabby. Combined, Perlini and Strome have 12 points (six points each).

While both still have a ton of potential, neither possess the top line center potential of Schmaltz. He certainly showed that in 2017-18, when he put up 21 goals and 52 points in 78 games. Given his past, it’s hard to see Schmaltz converting on 18 percent of his shots on goal again. So he might never hit 20 goals again. However, Schmaltz has impressive abilities as a playmaker, which make him a coveted asset.

Schmaltz is not without his flaws. He has been solid defensively but is still a negative possession player as far as relative CorsiFor percentage and scoring chances. Schmaltz also lacks confidence when shooting the puck, as evidenced by his 1.43 shots on goal per game average this season and his career-high 1.51 shots on goal per game average from last season.

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The Coyotes are hoping to get him back on the right track, much like he was last season. You could say the same thing about the Blackhawks in this deal, as Perlini and Strome are certainly talented and still young. However, Perlini and Strome haven’t shown anything close to what Schmaltz has thus far in his career.

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Arizona now has a pretty solid trio of centers down the middle with Derek Stepan, Schmaltz, and Alex Galchenyuk. They acquired each of them via a trade. Perhaps this is telling of how little the Coyotes trust their own guys. But regardless, it’s hard not to be excited about this trade initially if you’re a Coyotes fan.

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