Overview
- The Florida Panthers signed goaltender Akira Schmid to a two-year deal worth $4 million reported late Friday, removing an arbitration hearing that had been set for August 1.
- The contract carries a $2 million average annual cap hit and finalizes the Panthers’ revamped crease after Sergei Bobrovsky left in free agency.
- Schmid is expected to begin the season as Jacob Markström’s backup but could see an expanded role if Markström struggles early in 2026–27.
- Schmid appeared in 34 games for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025–26, posting a 16-10-6 record with a .893 save percentage and a 2.59 goals-against average.
- Florida acquired Schmid from Vegas in late June for a reported third-round pick in 2028, a trade detail that has more limited sourcing than the contract reports.