Florida Panthers make statement featuring former Canuck Nate Schmidt

At the end of June, the Winnipeg Jets placed former Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nate Schmidt on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying out his contract. The next day, Schmidt cleared unconditional waivers and had the final year of his contract bought out by the Jets, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Schmidt didn't have to wait too long before he put pen to paper on a new contract and on July 3rd, agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $800,000 with the defending Stanley Cup champions - the Florida Panthers.

In a post on social media on Wednesday, the Florida Panthers shared a graphic that featured which number their new additions will wear for the 2024-25 season. For Nate Schmidt, as he did with the Vancouver Canucks and throughout his entire career in the National Hockey League, he'll be wearing number 88 for the year with Florida.

Schmidt, 33, appeared in 63 games for the Winnipeg Jets last season where he put up 14 points (two goals, 12 assists), 16 penalty minutes and was a plus-ten. He went on to add one goal in three games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With the Florida Panthers losing Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson this summer to Seattle and Toronto, respectively, Nate Schmidt is poised to play a depth role for the team this coming season and could even see some time on one of their penalty killing units.