Nick Schmaltz

Schmaltz has produced two nearly identical seasons with 23 goals and 59 points in 63 contests in 2021-22, followed by 22 goals and 58 points in 63 games last season. Still just 27 years old and set to serve on the top line alongside Clayton Keller as well as Arizona's first power-play unit, there's every reason to believe Schmaltz can stay that effective going forward. The only big X-factor is if he can stay healthy this season, especially given that he hasn't logged more than 70 contests in a single campaign since 2017-18. Under ideal circumstances, he might end up with over 70 points, but that injury history makes it risky to bet on him reaching that milestone.

Not much went right for the Coyotes last season, again, but Schmaltz's breakout was certainly a bright spot. He posted a career-high 23 goals and 59 points in 63 games. Schmaltz certainly has the individual talent to be a top-six, point-producing forward at the NHL level, but his 18.7 percent shooting percentage a year ago suggests there will be some sort of regression forthcoming this season. Arizona has no choice but to give Schmaltz a boatload of ice time given the team's lack of depth. His chemistry with linemate Clayton Keller a year ago was impressive, but betting on Schmaltz to increase his production in 2022-23 seems like a risky wager.

After missing the final four games of the season with a concussion, it's unclear at this time if Schmaltz will be healthy to begin 2021-22. The 25-year-old was one of the Coyotes' better scoring options last year with 10 goals and 22 helpers in 52 appearances. That also came with a significant role on the power play, a job he should continue to fill given the team's offseason fire sale. Injuries continue to prevent Schmaltz from playing a full season, but he showed 50-point potential earlier in his career. The forward is basically guaranteed a top-six role this season, assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks in his recovery. Expect Schmaltz to have a floor of 40 points in a full season, with very little to contribute in the physical categories.

Schmaltz was arguably Arizona's best forward last season, but that isn't saying much, as he led the team with just 45 points (11 goals, 34 assists) in 70 games. The 24-year-old winger will likely spend most of his time skating on the Coyotes' top line and first power-play unit in 2020-21, but due to the absence of strong complementary pieces up front and Arizona's defense-first approach, he shouldn't be expected to outperform his 2019-20 scoring pace. He can still be counted on for double-digit goals, double-digit power-play points and 45-55 total points over the course of a full season, but that sort of production will make him nothing more than a depth pickup in the late rounds of this year's fantasy drafts.

Schmaltz began the year with 11 points in 23 games for the Blackhawks before being flipped to the Coyotes for Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini. The deal proved to be mutually beneficial, with Schmaltz adding 14 points in 17 contests before his season ended with an upper-body injury. The Coyotes were pleased with the 23-year-old forward, bestowing him with a seven-year contract extension. Schmaltz is versatile, as he's able to line up at center or on the wing. He will probably play on the same line as either the newly-acquired Phil Kessel or burgeoning star Clayton Keller -- he played with the latter prior to his injury last year. He's had some issues staying healthy in his first three seasons, but if he can stay out of the trainer's room, he could post 20 goals and 50 points while featuring on the power play.

Schmaltz broke out during his sophomore campaign in 2017-18, racking up career highs in goals (21), assists (31), shots on net (118) and average ice time (18:14). The 2014 first-round pick will return to his role skating on the second line and top power-play unit in 2018-19, and he should only continue to improve during his third full NHL season. Schmaltz will likely have two high-end scoring threats flanking him in Alex Debrincat and Patrick Kane this campaign, and he could approach the 65-point mark as a result, making him a player fantasy owners will want to target when assembling their forward group during this year's drafts.

Schmaltz showed flashes of impressive talent in his first taste of NHL action last season, finishing with 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 61 games with Chicago. However, the 21-year-old winger only logged 66 shots on goal over that span, so if he exhibits more willingness to fire the puck on net in 2017-18, it wouldn't be surprising to see his goal total climb significantly this season. The 2014 first-round pick has the skill to skate in a top-six role, but the Blackhawks may prefer to have him center their third line behind Jonathan Toews and Artem Anisimov, a role that would cap his offensive upside. Either way, the Wisconsin native is locked in as a member of Chicago’s second power-play unit, which should provide him with plenty of opportunities to set up man-advantage goals. Schmaltz may be a fringe fantasy asset right now, but if he continues to improve as a two-way player in 2017-18, it wouldn't be surprising to see him have a major breakout in 2018-19.