Nick Schmaltz doesn’t consider himself a vocal leader, but instead prefers to let his actions do the talking.
The 26-year-old forward set one heck of an example last season.
Schmaltz set career-bests in goals (23), assists (36) and points (59) in 63 games with the Coyotes last season, which included an eye-popping seven-point game against the Ottawa Senators on March 5. His 59 points were the most he’s recorded in a single season since a 52-point campaign with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017-18, and he’s looking to build upon that success heading into training camp.
After spending the offseason attending weddings and visiting friends and family in the Midwest, Schmaltz is ready to keep the momentum moving in the right direction.
“I’m going to make the most of it because you can’t take any years in the NHL for granted,” he said after a recent skate at the Ice Den. “I’m very lucky to play in the best league in the world.”
Schmaltz cemented himself in the NHL’s history books after he showcased his offensive ability against the Senators last spring. Not only did his seven points set a new Coyotes/Jets club record (the previous one was six points), it was also the most points in a single game by any player in the league in 10 years, dating back to when Sam Gagner notched eight. with the Edmonton Oilers in 2012.
He said it was a special night for him, and it validated the extra effort he’s been putting in since making his NHL debut in 2016.
“It was one of those crazy games where I felt like everything was popping on my stick,” Schmaltz said. “There were rebounds going right to my stick, passes were finding me, and we had a ton of odd man rushes. Some nights you have that many chances, and zero goes in, so it was just one of those nights where everything clicked, and I was very fortunate to have a night like that.”
The Madison, Wisc. native couldn’t pinpoint a single reason for his resurgence last season, but the chemistry he had with linemates Travis Boyd and Clayton Keller was definitely a factor. The trio accounted for 157 of the Coyotes’ 556 points last season, with Keller, Schmaltz, and Boyd recording 63, 59, and 35 points, respectively.
The familiarity of playing with the same linemates frequently, coupled with head coach André Tourigny’s new system, helped breed confidence as the season progressed.
“Bear (Tourigny) gave us some creative room to make plays,” Schmaltz said. “If you get back and play defense hard, you’re going to be able to make those plays.”
Those lessons learned under the then-first-year coach have seemingly helped Schmaltz elevate his game to a new level, and that swagger is contagious in the locker room.
Selected 20th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014, Schmaltz said he often looked to former teammates Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane for guidance. Kane, who has won three Stanley Cups and ranks 52nd all-time in the NHL scoring with 1,180 points, was especially helpful during Schmaltz’s time in the Windy City.
“He’s arguably the best American-born skater ever, and he’s out there playing little games with us at the end of practice,” he said. “He’s played 15 years in the league and he still wants to get better.
“That motivates guys like me that you’re never good enough, never satisfied, and you always need to work on your game.”
It’s that very work ethic that Schmaltz hopes can snowball down a young Coyotes roster.
“When it’s time to work, I want to make sure I’m leading that way, working hard, not taking any drills off or taking any shortcuts, and paving the way for some of these younger guys coming up,” he said. “Hopefully we get some of these younger guys involved and they take the next step.”
The Coyotes have jump-started their talent pipeline over the previous two years, drafting young, exciting prospects like Dylan Guenther, Logan Cooley, Conor Geekie, and Maveric Lamoureux, while also acquiring budding NHL-ready players like Nathan Smith and Jack McBain.
As the club gets ready to open the 2021-22 season in a little over a month, Schmaltz said he is excited to help lead Arizona into the next phase of its rebuild.
“We’re all here to win, we want to develop something here, get better every day, so don’t sulk and don’t be down,” Schmaltz said. “You can get something out of every season. As long as you bring it every day, and you’re doing everything you can, that’s all you can ask for.”
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