Blackhawks trade shocks Nick Schmaltz, but he's excited for fresh start

Nick Schmaltz admitted he was stunned to hear he was traded to Arizona Monday night, but the former Blackhawks forward is also excited to join a squad that's been trying to acquire him for quite some time.

"It was a shock," Schmaltz said in a conference call Tuesday morning. "But at the same time, I know a lot of players on the Coyotes. Really excited. It's a young group. A lot of skill up front, so I'm really excited to get started."

Schmaltz, who was dealt for center Dylan Strome and forward Brendan Perlini, said he heard from good friend Vinnie Hinostroza "right away." Schmaltz had 2 goals, 9 assists and 33 shots on goal in 23 games and is hoping a fresh start can give him "a little energy boost."

"Obviously the production is not where I want it to be," Schmaltz said. "A lot of the games, I've been generating a lot of offense - creating a lot of chances (and) getting some pretty good looks with my shot. Hopefully things start clicking here and … pucks will start falling in for me."

Arizona (9-11-2) has lost eight of its last 10 games. Schmaltz figures to be in the lineup at Minnesota Tuesday and at Nashville Thursday.

Coyotes General Manager John Chyka admitted he gave up two solid players, but he couldn't pass up the opportunity to acquire a player with Schmaltz's skill set.

"When I asked (Hawks GM Stan Bowman) about Nick in the past, which I've done, he's been an untouchable," Chyka said. "I don't know whether it's a slow start or what occurred, but at some point he became available.

"And when a player like that becomes available you got to give to get, and we certainly did that."