Arizona Coyotes sign Nick Schmaltz to a seven-year contract extension
Mar 30, 2019, 9:15 AM | Updated: 1:47 pm

Arizona Coyotes' Nick Schmaltz (8) has the puck taken away by Carolina Hurricanes' Justin Faulk (27) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
(AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Center Nick Schmaltz signed a seven-year contract extension with the Arizona Coyotes early on Saturday morning.
Schmaltz was acquired in a three-player deal on Nov. 25, 2018 with the Chicago Blackhawks and jumped out to a fast start in 17 games with the Coyotes registering five goals, nine assists and 14 points.
He missed out on the entire 2019 portion of the schedule after suffering a lower body injury. He has been out of the lineup since Dec. 30.
“I’m very excited to sign a long-term contract with the Coyotes,” Schmaltz said in a statement. “We have a very bright future here and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Schmaltz was drafted No. 20 overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
He made his NHL debut on Oct. 12, 2016 and has 105 career points, including 34 goals and 71 assists in 179 games played.
“Nick is a highly skilled, creative, young center with extremely high upside,” Coyotes GM John Chayka said in a statement about the 23-year-old Schmaltz. “Getting Nick signed to a long-term extension is another positive step towards building a sustainable contender here in the Valley.”