The 26-year-old goalie was 16-10-6 with a 2.59 goals-against average, .893 save percentage and two shutouts in 34 games (29 starts) this season. He did not appear in a Stanley Cup Playoff game for Vegas, which lost in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Final.
Schmid, who can become a restricted free agent on Wednesday, was extended a qualifying offer by the Golden Knights earlier on Monday.
Selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round (No. 136) of the 2018 NHL Draft, Schmid is 32-28-10 with a 2.66 GAA, .898 save percentage and three shutouts in 82 regular-season games (65 starts) for the Devils and Golden Knights. He is 4-4 with a 2.26 GAA, .924 save percentage and two shutouts in 10 playoff games (eight starts).
“Akira is a talented and athletic goaltender who has shown poise in high-pressure moments,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “We are excited to welcome him to our organization.”
On Tuesday, the Panthers acquired goalie Jacob Markstrom from the Devils for forwards Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves. Florida also received forward Angus Crookshank.
With the trades, it likely means Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov, the two goalies that played for the Panthers this season, won't be back next season. Each can become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
