Recent reports indicating Utah's interest in potentially trading forward Nick Schmaltz could open interesting window as an emergency option for the Jets.

The Utah Mammoth are looking to add size and grit according to recent insider reports and this could open the door for the team parting with a longtime fixture that could be available on the trade block in forward Nick Schmaltz. 

The 29-year-old has established himself as a very productive forward with 58 or more points in four straight seasons and could be moved as he's entering the final season of his seven-year deal with an annual cap hit at $5.8 million per season. The Winnipeg Jets have few holes on their team but one of them could be top end offence. They are coming off the loss of top six forward Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency but added veteran Gustav Nyquist in his place. 

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Ehlers would routinely produce roughly 60 or more points every season, which Nyquist could provide after posting 75 points during the 2023-24 season. However, the Swedish winger is coming off his worst season yet with career-worst numbers across the board and could falter again with the Jets. This invites the idea to possibly add Schmaltz as he can regularly produce similar numbers to Ehlers while moving Nyquist down the lineup. 

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared on a recent episode of his podcast '32 Thoughts' that the Mammoth went out and got size with players like Brandon Tanev but are looking to keep adding in this department. The Mammoth have made several big moves already this offseason like adding a young goal-scorer in JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres. 

"I still think they need some meat up there, they're still slightly meatless," Friedman said jokingly "Tanev helps, but I would like to see a little bit more." 

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He would go on to expand on the comments by mentioning Schmaltz and his uncertain role within the franchise and what the future could hold for the former 20th overall pick in the 2014 Draft.

"One name I'm curious about is Nick Schmaltz, Nick is heading into the last year of his current deal, $5.85 million and I'm wondering why his future is there," Friedman asked "Do they see him as a long time, mammoth? or did they see maybe moving him to see what else what they could do for him."

The Jets have held the league's best defence and goaltender for back-to-back seasons now and with no lineup changes in either department, they will likely be proficient in this once again. However, the loss of Ehlers may take them a step back offensively.  

The move would signal the Jets are going for it and this is something that could be needed as they've found themselves just a step or two removed from the teams in their way when it comes to elite offence.  They were outdone offensively versus the Dallas Stars this past postseason when playing in the second round. The Jets scored two or fewer goals in four of the six-game series. The add to the offence could be something needed and the Jets would only be required to move some larger sized players like a Morgan Barron, who stands at 6-foot-4, plus some draft capital to boot.

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