Why the Chicago Blackhawks should trade for the slumping Nick Schmaltz

The Chicago Blackhawks and, arguably more importantly, Connor Bedard are struggling offensively this season. The Hawks are second-to-last in goals per game thus far and Bedard hasn’t scored in 11 games.

The team’s and Bedard’s inability to put the puck in the back of net can be attributed to a number of factors, such as free agent additions not producing and coach Luke Richardson’s baffling lineup decisions. However, another issue plaguing the Hawks (that GM Kyle Davidson can attempt to solve) is the team’s need for a reliable second-line center.

After leaving the spot open in free agency in the hopes Frank Nazar would take it, the Hawks have tried Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson, Ryan Donato, and Philipp Kurashev at second-line center. Despite all of Richardson’s tinkering, none have stuck, leading to a lack of chemistry throughout the forward group and many players feeling unsure of their roles in the lineup on any given night.

If Davidson wants to shore up the second-line center spot with a more proven player than Morgan Frost, he should look into trading for former Blackhawk Nick Schmaltz.

For the right price, the Utah Hockey Club may be willing to move Schmaltz. He is 28, makes $5.85 million against the cap, and is set to become a free agent following next season. Utah has a plethora of young forward talent soon to be or already on the roster in the likes of Logan Cooley, Barrett Hayton, Tij Iginla, and Josh Doan, and may not want an aging Schmaltz taking up a roster spot or cap space.

Furthermore, Schmaltz may want a change of scenery – he has yet to score this year despite tallying 15 assists, and he may want to get away from a turbulent Utah franchise that has already experienced a name and location change in the past year and previously played in a college rink.

Now, Hawks fans may be wondering, why should Davidson trade for a goal-less player who hasn’t played much center this season?

Schmaltz has already proved he can produce in the spotlight in Chicago, and he did so at a young age as a center. From his age 20 to 22 seasons, he notched 29 goals and 91 points in 168 games. While in Arizona/Utah he has only grown as a scorer, recording 93 goals and 284 points in 359 games with the franchise, posting a career-high 61 points last season. 

Moreover, Schmaltz has always been more of a distributor, even going back to his days at the University of North Dakota, so his lack of goals this year shouldn’t be a major concern. He is still going to make his linemates better and set them up for prime scoring chances, two things the Hawks desperately need right now. 

Unlike his predecessor Stan Bowman, Davidson hasn’t been inclined to re-acquire many former Hawks, but Schmaltz deserves his attention. If Davidson can pry him away from Utah for a couple picks and a prospect, Schmaltz could be the established second-line scoring center the Hawks need to take the next step in their rebuild.