The Florida Panthers and goaltender Akira Schmid have avoided arbitration, according to reports from Elliotte Friedman. The two parties reached an agreement on a contract that includes two years at a salary of $2 million per season.
Schmid, 26, is a starting goaltender for the Panthers, having played 34 games during the 2025-26 season with a record of 16-10, a goals-against average of 2.59, and a save percentage of .893. He also recorded two shutouts during that span. His performance has positioned him as a key player in the team’s goaltending tandem.
Friedman’s reports confirm that all arbitration cases involving Schmid have now been settled. No further details about the terms of the agreement or the timeline of negotiations were provided in the reports.
This signing ensures Schmid’s continued presence with the Panthers, providing stability in the goaltending position. His role as a starter in a tandem suggests he will remain a central figure in the team’s netminding strategy moving forward.