The Chicago Blackhawks drafted forward prospect Nick Schmaltz with the 20th overall pick at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Now, after two seasons of hockey at the University of North Dakota, it seems that the club is potentially bringing him on board at the pro level.
Craig Morgan of Today’s Slapshot reported on Sunday that Schmaltz has signed an entry-level deal with the Blackhawks, which will result in him leaving North Dakota for next season and going pro in Chicago’s system, instead.
With 46 points in 37 NCAA games last year as a sophomore, the 20-year-old forward was third in scoring on the team’s roster – so he was one of the team’s most effective players throughout the season.
It will be a blow for North Dakota to lose Schmaltz this summer, as they’ve already seen senior Drake Caggiula, defensemen Troy Stetcher and Paul LaDue, and forward Luke Johnson sign NHL deals. That leaves just Brock Boeser, Austin Poganski, and Tucker Poolman from the team’s list of stars who will be headed back next year.
The Blackhawks, though, likely see this signing as a saving grace.
The club recently dealt away forward Teuvo Teravainen as part of a deal to rid themselves of forward Bryan Bickell’s contract. They’re sitting in a tough cap situation; having Schmaltz entering the system on a cost-controlled deal will hopefully help alleviate some of their strain.
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