Nick Schmaltz's $8M extension makes Alex Tuch a realistic target for the Leafs
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Nick Schmaltz got a nice addition to his bank account on Wednesday after signing an eight-year, $8-million extension with the Utah Mammoth, taking away a prime free agent target and leaving Alex Tuch as the biggest fish in the pond.
Schmaltz, 29, has 59 points in 65 games with the Mammoth this season, and has just put up his fifth straight 20-goal season. He's been with the system for eight years between Arizona and Utah, and the team knows what they have -- hence the huge extension.
What the Schmaltz extension means for the 2026 UFA market
But it does create an issue for teams looking to make a splash this summer. Schmaltz was one of the top targets heading into the offseason and with him locked up; the market gets thinner.
There are a lot of potential big names on the market come the summer however a large handful of them are over 35 years old. For a team looking for a young star or going through a rebuild, it's slim pickings.
There's still smaller names like Anthony Mantha, Michael Bunting, Bobby McMann and Eeli Tolvanen who could be available but there's none bigger than the one potentially coming from the Buffalo Sabres.
Why Alex Tuch is now the top available free agent forward
Part of an incredible turnaround in Buffalo, Tuch is arguably the top player on the market overall come the summer and for good reason.
In 64 games he has 57 points (28 goals, 29 assists) with a plus-18 while playing both the power-play and penalty kill. He's a massive presence at 6'4, 218 pounds and while he's not overly physical, does throw hits.
Over his past four seasons, Tuch has 122 goals, a plus-57, 268 hits, and 315 blocks which is impressive considering that it's just this season Buffalo has turned it around.
With the Sabres under new management, the desire to keep Tuch is likely a lot higher especially given their newfound success. If he's going to be a big part of things, he could end up with a huge payday.
How the Leafs can make a competitive offer to Tuch
But he may also see what his value is first on the open market, and if so then the Toronto Maple Leafs need to just hand him a blank cheque.
Right now, he makes $4.75-million which is an absolute steal for the production he gives. If Schmaltz can get $8-million for his output, Tuch can easily get that and more.
He's got size, he plays a very smart and heavy two-way game, and has proven to be an elite scorer with great hands for a big man, and at only 29 years old he has a lot left in the tank.
Toronto doesn't really need to pay anyone this summer unless they want to bring back Matias Maccelli and Nick Robertson, or spend the money to reunite with Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton.
That opens the door for Toronto to offer a higher deal than some teams and it wouldn't be shocking to see them offer over $10-million a season to get it done.
With the new CBA rules, a six-year deal is the max a team can offer, so that naturally drives the money up if teams want a long-term option. That would be a base $54-million deal, and a wise investment alongside Auston Matthews who needs a proper sidekick.
There's no reason Toronto is prohibited from throwing the bag at Alex Tuch, and with the team needing a true superstar to help elevate them once again?
Adding the best one available is a pretty good start and unlike some others, Toronto still offers a competitive window alongside Auston Matthews and company.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 11|729 ANSWERS Nick Schmaltz's $8M extension makes Alex Tuch a realistic target for the Leafs Should the Toronto Maple Leafs go all in on Alex Tuch this summer? | ||
| Yes, sign him at any cost alongside Matthews | 191 | 26.2 % |
| No, bring back McMann on a discount instead | 152 | 20.9 % |
| Target a #1 defenceman and skip Tuch entirely | 265 | 36.4 % |
| Only if the price stays under $10M per season | 121 | 16.6 % |
| List of polls | ||