Free agent Nate Schmidt signs deal with a new team

Veteran defenseman Nate Schmidt has signed a one year, $800,000 contract with the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Schmidt was bought out of the final year of his $5.95 million contract by the Winnipeg Jets this past weekend and was eligible to sign a new deal with any NHL team. 

In Florida he'll re-join former Jets coach Paul Maurice, a coach that he experienced success under during his time in Winnipeg. The 32 year old defenseman put up two goals and 14 points in 63 games for the Jets last season. His best campaign came in 2017-18 with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights where he put up five goals and 36 points in 76 games.

One of the original 'Misfit' Golden Knights, Schmidt was shipped to the Vancouver Canucks in 2020 after Vegas acquired star defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. He didn't last long in Vancouver though and was shipped to the Jets in 2021, despite reports that he tried to block previous attempts to trade him to Winnipeg.