Utah Mammoth Star Nick Schmaltz Signs 8-Year Contract Extension

Schmaltz's long-term commitment suggests Utah is becoming a destination for NHL players.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Nick Schmaltz, a star forward for the Utah Mammoth, has signed an eight-year, $64 million contract extension with the team. Schmaltz, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent, cited his love for the city and the team's ownership group as reasons for wanting to stay in Utah long-term.

Why it matters

Schmaltz's decision to sign a long-term deal in Utah, rather than test free agency, suggests the Mammoth and the city of Salt Lake are becoming an attractive destination for NHL players. This could have significant implications for the team's ability to retain and attract top talent in the future.

The details

Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong admitted he was worried about losing Schmaltz in free agency, saying the thought "left me sleepless, night after night after night." However, Schmaltz's fiancée, Abby, was spotted "glaring" at Armstrong during a game, signaling the couple's desire to stay in Utah. Schmaltz cited the team's ownership, facilities, and the city's lifestyle as reasons for wanting to remain with the Mammoth.

  • Schmaltz signed the eight-year contract extension on March 11, 2026.
  • Schmaltz has already scored two hat tricks at the Delta Center this season.

The players

Nick Schmaltz

A star forward for the Utah Mammoth who just signed an eight-year, $64 million contract extension to remain with the team.

Bill Armstrong

The general manager of the Utah Mammoth, who was worried about losing Schmaltz in free agency.

Abby

Nick Schmaltz's fiancée, who was spotted "glaring" at the Mammoth GM during a game, signaling the couple's desire to stay in Utah.

Ryan Smith

The owner of the Utah Mammoth, who has invested in the team's facilities and believes Utah is becoming an attractive destination for NHL players.

Ashley

The co-owner of the Utah Mammoth, who Schmaltz credited for giving the team "every single tool to get better every single day."

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What they’re saying

“My fiancée and I love it here, so we're super excited to get settled down and hope we can find some real estate here.”

— Nick Schmaltz, Utah Mammoth Forward (Yahoo Sports)

“When you go through a rebuild, as we did, you really understand the character of a person. We had a lot of people bail on us. We had a lot of people not play well, not hard, didn't want any part of it. Nick was actually the opposite. He bought into it, he embraced it and he drove through it.”

— Bill Armstrong, Utah Mammoth General Manager (Yahoo Sports)

“I think people are starting to see, 'Utah's actually a place I want to live.' ... You leave this facility, you've got that beautiful mountain range right in the back. You can get anywhere around here. You can fly anywhere. Utah's pretty special and I think everyone is starting to see that.”

— Ryan Smith, Utah Mammoth Owner (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The Mammoth will look to build on Schmaltz's long-term commitment as they continue their push for the playoffs this season.

The takeaway

Schmaltz's decision to sign a long-term extension with the Utah Mammoth, rather than test free agency, suggests the team and city are becoming an attractive destination for NHL players. This could be a significant development for the Mammoth as they look to build a consistent winner and compete for championships in the years to come.