Overview
- Florida finalized a two-year, $4 million contract for goaltender Akira Schmid, a move first reported on Friday and reported across multiple outlets.
- The deal carries a $2 million average annual value and resolves an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for August 1.
- Schmid is widely projected to begin the season as Jacob Markstrom’s backup but retains a clear path to more starts if Markstrom struggles or is injured.
- Schmid played 34 games for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025–26, going 16-10-6 with a .893 save percentage and a 2.59 goals-against average, and he previously posted strong numbers with New Jersey in 2022–23.
- The signing completes Florida’s off-season crease overhaul after Sergei Bobrovsky’s departure and gives GM Bill Zito an affordable insurance option that helps protect the team’s immediate title hopes and salary-cap flexibility.