Nick Schmaltz has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $8 million a season to stay in Utah, and in doing so, he has significantly weakened the 2026 NHL free agency class. Once expected to feature a "murderer's row" of talent, the UFA market now offers only a select few names worth the inevitable bidding wars. This thinning market is excellent news for Chris Drury as he looks to navigate the trade market for Vincent Trocheck this summer.
Schmaltz contract underscores Trocheck's value
Schmaltz just turned 30 and is in the midst of a career year. His 24 goals are a personal best, and he is just five points shy of a new career high in points. Over six seasons and 344 games with the organization, he has averaged 0.78 points per game. With the salary cap rising, his $8 million hit, representing roughly 7.69% of the cap, is a fair market rate.
However, Trocheck’s numbers make him an even more attractive commodity. At 32, Trocheck has three years left on a deal carrying a $5.625 million cap hit. Since joining the Rangers, he has produced 0.82 points per game. The math is simple: a team acquiring Trocheck pays nearly one percent less of the cap for a player who statistically produces more. Trocheck’s ceiling is also arguably higher; he is just two years removed from a 77-point campaign, and his 43 points in 49 games this season have been a vital lifeline for a struggling Rangers squad. He has proven he can drive play in a top-six role, and now, he is one of the few high-end options left on the board.
The competition Drury will face
While Schmaltz being off the board helps, other names could still play spoiler to Drury’s objective of netting a significant haul. In the UFA market, Charlie Coyle (51 points in 64 games) and a seemingly ageless Evgeni Malkin remain options for teams seeking middle-six help. Boone Jenner is an intriguing, gritty name at 32, though it is difficult to imagine him leaving Columbus. While these veterans are available, none offer the same long-term top-six upside as Trocheck. The RFA market is loaded with stars like Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson, but it is highly unlikely any of those cornerstones will actually become available.
The biggest external factor for Drury is Robert Thomas. A constant fixture in trade rumors, Thomas is the "main attraction" for any team looking for a young, elite center. Turning 27 in July and coming off back-to-back 80-point seasons, Thomas would command a massive return for St. Louis.
The ultimate wild card remains Auston Matthews. With two years left on his deal and a full NMC, Matthews could orchestrate a move if he decides he has seen enough of a Toronto team trending in the wrong direction. Despite a dip in production, falling from 107 points in 2023-24 to 52 points in 57 games this year, a healthy Matthews remains one of the most dynamic players in the world.
The Bottom Line
Chris Drury still has his work cut out for him. While the Schmaltz deal provides a much-needed boost to Trocheck’s market value, Drury must still navigate the looming shadows of Robert Thomas and potential superstar movement. The best-case scenario for the Rangers is for Trocheck to finish the season strong, forcing teams that were hesitant at the deadline to return to the table with a significantly better offer this summer.