Panthers Secure Goaltender Akira Schmid with New Two-Year Contract

The Florida Panthers made a significant move to solidify their roster on Friday by reaching an agreement with goaltender Akira Schmid on a two-year contract. With just over a week remaining until their scheduled arbitration hearing, this deal allows both parties to avoid the uncertainty of arbitration.

According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $2 million. This agreement not only secures Schmid’s position but also ensures that he and Jacob Markstrom will form a new goaltending tandem for the Panthers, both signed through the end of the 2027-28 season.

Schmid, a restricted free agent, was acquired by the Panthers in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, which involved a 2028 third-round pick. He filed for salary arbitration on July 5, with a hearing originally scheduled for August 1. Now, with this contract in place, the Panthers can move forward with their plans for the upcoming season without the distraction of arbitration looming over Schmid’s future.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.