NHL News: Panthers lose another Stanley Cup champion after keeping Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad

The Florida Panthers avoided losing stars Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad in free agency, but the reigning Stanley Cup champions are still losing some important contributors ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.

Shortly after finding out that Nico Sturm would reunite with the Minnesota Wild, the Cats learned that Nate Schmidt is packing his bags as well. On Tuesday, the Utah Mammoth announced the veteran defenseman is joining the team on a three-year deal.

According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Schmidt is signing a contract worth $3.5 million in annual average value. It’s more than what the Panthers could’ve offered him after making an effort to keep Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad this offseason.

They saw this one coming too, as the Panthers had already decided to let the veteran go when they used their little cap space for the “Big Three” who was about to hit the open market.

Nate Schmidt #88 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.

Schmidt builds on Stanley Cup with Panthers to land long-term deal in Utah

A journeyman who spent time with the Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets in the NHL after going undrafted in 2013, Schmidt was one of general manager Bill Zito’s bold acquisitions in 2024.

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NHL News: With Nate Schmidt leaving for Utah, Brad Marchand’s Panthers welcome veteran on bargain deal

Schmidt certainly made the most of his time in Florida, where he spent the 2024-25 season with the Panthers on a one-year, $800,000 contract. With 19 points in 80 regular season appearances, he played an important role in the team’s road to the postseason.

Come playoff time, Schmidt made sure to prove his worth again. With 12 points in 23 playoff games, the defenseman helped the Panthers join the list of back-to-back NHL champions, lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career in the process.

Panthers say goodbye to important contributors

It was definitely a fun ride for the veteran, who is set to turn 34 on July 16. Now it’s time to say goodbye, as the Panthers made their priorities clear. With Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad locked up for the foreseeable, the Cats were willing to let other contributors do what’s best for them in free agency.

While Sturm and Schmidt are the first official departures in Sunrise, other Stanley Cup champions could follow suit soon. Vitek Vanecek, who served as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup last season, is also hitting free agency and might play elsewhere next season. The Panthers’ salary cap situation could also lead to trades, with Evan Rodrigues as a big name to watch.