Looking to hit like they did with Oliver Ekman-Larsson last year, the Florida Panthers took advantage of Winnipeg buying out the final season of defenseman Nate Schmidt’s contract by signing the 32-year-old for one year at the bargain sum of $800K.

While he won’t fill the role of either stylistically, the Panthers needed to add another plug and play veteran to the group after losing Ekman-Larsson to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Brandon Montour to the Utah Hockey Club on the first day of free agency.

Schmidt played for Paul Maurice in his final (partial) season coaching the Jets, so there is some familiarity between player and bench boss. With cash in pocket following the buy out, Schmidt wants another crack at the Stanley Cup after coming up short as a member of the inaugural Vegas Golden Knights, who were beaten in five games by the Washington Capitals in 2018.

After playing three seasons at the University of Minnesota, the undrafted Schmidt was signed to an entry-level contract by the Capitals on April 2, 2013 and appeared in the final eight games of the regular season and five postseason games with the AHL’s Hershey Bears.

He made his NHL debut the following season on October 12, 2013, against the Colorado Avalanche. He notched his first NHL goal on December 7, 2013, against Marek Mazanec of the Nashville Predators before he was sent back down to Hershey eight days later.

A part-time contributor during his first two seasons with the organization, Schmidt became a regular in his third year, playing 72 games for the Capitals in 2015-16. He finished the season with two goals and 14 assists and appeared in ten of Washington’s 12 postseason games.

Schmidt accumulated one more point the next season while suiting up in 60 regular season tilts. He scored his first-ever postseason goal in a Game 4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the playoffs.

On June 21, 2017, Schmidt’s career would take a turn for the better when he was selected by George McPhee and the Golden Knights in the expansion draft.

Schmidt played in 76 games and scored five goals and added 31 helpers for the NHL’s 31st franchise. His 31 assists and 36 points remain high-marks in his long career.

The club went on an amazing playoff run before being beaten by Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in the 2018 Final. Schmidt was a solid contributor throughout the postseason, appearing in all 20 games and producing three goals and four assists.

His standout performance as one of Vegas’ original ‘Misfits’ earned him a six-year extension worth $35.7 million in the early stages of the Golden Knights second campaign.

Despite dealing with a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL’s performance-enhancing drug use policy and some injury issues, Schmidt would enjoy two more fine seasons in Sin City, playing in a 120 regular season games and 27 playoff games combined.

After the perpetually salary cap-strapped Golden Knights fell short of their Stanley Cup goal by getting bounced by the Dallas Stars in the 2020 Western Conference Final, general manager Kelly McCrimmon dealt Schmidt to the Vancouver Canucks for a third round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft on October 12, 2020 while the league waited to restart play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unhappy with the trade, Schmidt delivered a middling season for his new team. After missing 23 games the prior season, he did suit up for 54 of 56 regular games, but saw his production drop from 31 points to 15. That ended Schmidt’s run of three-straight 30-point seasons.

The Canucks, who finished in last place in the temporary North Division, quickly moved on from Schmidt, sending him to Winnipeg on July 27, 2021 with the return price again being a third round pick in 2022.

Paired with Neal Pionk, a happier Schmidt got off to a fast start with the Jets, racking up six assists in a three-game span from October 19 to October 23. Although he rebounded to top the 30-point plateau – finishing with four goals and 28 assists – the season was ultimately an unsatisfying one, with a frustrated Maurice stepping down on December 17, and interim coach (and former Panther) Dave Lowry failing to guide the club into the playoffs.

A stint on LTIR limited Schmidt to 71 games during the 2022-23 campaign. Despite the lost time, Schmidt was able to match his career-high with seven goals (first reached in his final season with Vegas) and added 12 assists to finish 19 points. Schmidt played in all five games of the Jets’ first round loss to the Golden Knights, collecting an assist in Game 1 and Game 2 against his former team.

Last season, Schmidt appeared in 63 regular season games with Winnipeg. He registered two goals and 12 assists and was credited with 75 shots, 66 hits and 16 PIM while averaging 16:48 TOI. The 14 points were his lowest total since he became an NHL regular. He suited up in three of five games in Winnipeg’s first round playoff loss to the Colorado Avalanche, scoring a goal in Game 4.

Schmidt brings a wealth of experience to the Panthers, having played a total of 661 regular season games, amassing 47 goals and 220 points. He has also appeared in 76 Stanley Cup playoff games. While not the player he was in his heyday with Vegas, Schmidt is just two seasons removed from producing 32 points and still moves the puck well and can join the rush effectively. He is capable of playing either side of the ice and can contribute on both special teams. Earlier in his career, he was guilty at times of paying too much attention to his offense, but with Florida’s defense first approach, that shouldn’t be an issue for this welcome addition.