Chicago Blackhawks Trade Forward Nick Schmaltz to Coyotes

Nick Schmaltz. Photo by Daniel Lea/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

Chicago Blackhawks have traded forward Nick Schmaltz to Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forwards Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini. The deal was confirmed by both teams on Sunday.

Blackhawks had big hopes for Nick Schmaltz when they drafted him 20th overall in 2014, but the 22-year-old didn’t progress the way everyone expected. He opened this season with below-par performances, scoring contributing with just two goals and nine assists in 23 games he played. Considering the fact that Schmaltz will become a restricted free agent next summer, the organization opted to get some assets for him rather than having to give him a new deal.

Coyotes, on the other hand, think Schmaltz can still reach his potential and that he just needs a change of scenery.

Nick is a dynamic forward with top-line potential,” – said Coyotes’ head of hockey operations John Chayka. “We feel he can be a core player of our team now and into the future. He’s a good complement to our evolving forward group and a rare combination of speed, skill, and creativity.

Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini are also former first-round picks who failed to live up to expectations. Strome, who was the third overall pick in 2015, played 19 games this season and managed three goals and three assists during that period. Perlini, who was the 12th overall pick in 2014, contributed two goals and four assists in 20 games.

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