Panthers Lock Up Young Star Lundell, Add Veteran D-Man Schmidt

The Florida Panthers secured a key piece of their championship puzzle on Wednesday, signing young forward Anton Lundell to a six-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 22-year-old Lundell was a vital contributor to the Panthers’ Stanley Cup run last season. He chipped in 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) during the regular season and added a further 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists) in the playoffs. In the thrilling Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, Lundell impressed, leading the Panthers with five assists.

“Anton has blossomed into a reliable multi-role center for us,” said Panthers GM Bill Zito, praising Lundell’s dedication and intelligence. “We’re thrilled to watch him continue to develop and achieve success with the Panthers.”

Drafted by Florida in the first round (12th overall) in 2020, Lundell has amassed 112 points (43 goals, 69 assists) throughout his 216-game NHL career. He’s also added 28 points (6 goals, 22 assists) in 54 playoff games.

In a separate move on Wednesday, the Panthers bolstered their defense with the addition of veteran Nate Schmidt on a one-year contract. Financial details were not released.

The 32-year-old Schmidt becomes a free agent after the upcoming season. He brings a wealth of experience, having played for four different teams (Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights) in his NHL career. Last season with the Jets, Schmidt had 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists) in the regular season.

“Nate is a veteran puck-mover who fits our style of play perfectly,” said Zito, expressing his excitement about adding Schmidt to the roster.

These signings add to the Panthers’ flurry of activity on the first day of free agency (July 1st). They re-signed key players like forwards Sam Reinhart and Dmitry Kulikov, while also adding depth with forwards Tomas Nosek, A.J. Greer, and Jesper Boqvist, and goaltender Chris Driedger.

The Panthers are clearly committed to building on their championship success, and these moves position them as a strong contender for years to come.