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Panthers acquire Akira Schmid from Golden Knights for 2028 draft pick
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- Panthers acquire Akira Schmid from Golden Knights for 2028 draft pick
Panthers acquire Akira Schmid from Golden Knights for 2028 draft pick appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Florida Panthers acquired former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk earlier this month along with the rights to old friend Radko Gudas as a clear signal from general manager Bill Zito that they have every intention of returning to Stanley Cup contention.
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Now, with the uncertainty surrounding the future of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky with the franchise, he's made another prudent move.
On Monday evening, the Panthers acquired the signing rights to pending restricted free agent goaltender Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights in return for a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
Schmid has appeared in 39 total games for the Golden Knights across the past two seasons, compiling a .898 save percentage along with a 2.45 goals-against average in that span. The 26-year-old netminder handled the most extensive workload of his NHL career during the 2025-26 campaign, getting into 34 games and recording two shutouts while providing steady depth in goal throughout the year.
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Born in Bern, Switzerland, Schmid was taken with the 136th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils , with whom he would eventually sign a three-year entry-level contract. He made his NHL debut with the Devils in December 2021, and then would later gain valuable playing experience in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the spring of 2023, eventually helping the Devils defeat the arch-rival New York Rangers in seven games during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal.
In 2024, he and Alexander Holtz were traded to the Golden Knights in exchange for Paul Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick.
So far in his NHL career with the Devils and Golden Knights, Schmid has posted a record of 32-28-10 with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage with three shutouts.
Related: Panthers trade rights to pending UFA to Ducks for potential Radko Gudas reunion
Related: Which Panthers line will Brady Tkachuk play on to begin 2026-27?
