The Utah Mammoth brought the ice age back to the NHL with a flurry of goals and wins. With such a hot start, the Mammoth find themselves in contention for the number one spot in the division.
What led to such a fiery start? Utah continues to maintain a red-hot power play (12 goals so far), ranking among the best in the NHL. They also possess a top-10 penalty kill. But there’s one other glaring factor fueling this team’s fire: Nick Schmaltz.
Last season, Schmaltz’s game took a major step forward. Scoring 33 goals and 41 assists, totaling 74 points, ending the season in record fashion. With such a great contribution, the Mammoth made the playoffs for the first time, and Schmaltz received a massive payday.
Nick Schmaltz’s Mammoth Impact Continues
With such a sensational season, many fans praised the center for his efforts. However, a few fans remained cautious, thinking he only produced for a contract year. The 2026-27 season started, and Schmaltz continues to prove his critics wrong.
In the first game of the season, Schmaltz finds a loose puck and flips it past Chicago Blackhawks goalkeeper Arvid Soderblom. This ignited another three-goal surge, handing the Blackhawks a 6-0 loss. Over the next seven games, Schmaltz tallied five more goals and added five assists.
With six goals so far (four from the power play), Schmaltz ranks among elite scorers, like Evan Bouchard and Sebastian Aho. Both are 80-to-90-point scorers, showing the center continues to inch towards that status.
Job of an Associate Captain
The center not only scores for the Mammoth but leads them by example. Schmaltz is a detail-oriented individual. Often knowing every component of the coaching plan for each game. His senses are attuned to many teammates’ demeanors, allowing him to help them on and off the ice. Schmaltz showcased these skills when teammate Logan Cooley went down with a leg injury last season.
Schmaltz stepped up in many ways to keep Utah afloat. From Cooley’s injury on Dec. 5, 2025, to his return on Jan. 26, 2026, Schmaltz scored eight goals and 14 assists, totaling 22 points.
He helped the Mammoth achieve a 14-10 winning record during that timespan. Stripping the puck from Philadelphia Flyer Garnet Hathaway became his most important contribution. Without Schmaltz’s defensive effort, Utah would not have snuck out a massive overtime win.
That successful stretch propelled the Mammoth into the number one Wild Card spot, giving Utah its first taste of playoff hockey.
Keeping up With the Stars
This year will test Schmaltz. He’s already under the microscope of fans and media alike due to his contract extension. Plus, the Mammoth desperately needs him to perform at a high level to make the playoffs again.
If Schmaltz wants to receive his first NHL All-Star nod, he needs to stay consistent. He’s already a big reason why the Mammoth are contending for the number one spot in the Central Division.
If he maintains his scoring prowess, Schmaltz should be named an All-Star alongside teammate Clayton Keller.
Continuing His Legacy
Schmaltz continues to weave a brighter piece in his career’s tapestry. From small beginnings in Chicago to record years in Utah, he will meet this new challenge head-on. Every time the media or fans show doubt about his game, the center shatters expectations. The Utah Mammoth made a great decision by re-signing him last season, and this year they shall reap the rewards of that decision.
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