According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers] defenseman Nate Schmidt will be hitting the market as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1. With the Panthers re-signing all three of their top pending UFAs in Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand, it is not too surprising that Schmidt will be walking. The Panthers have limited cap space to work with, and Schmidt is due for a nice raise after his strong bounce-back season in Florida. Schmidt should garner a ton of interest around the league in free agency. Not only did he impress this campaign, especially during the playoffs, but there are also not too many notable left-shot defensemen who are hitting the market this year. Thus, Schmidt could get himself a pretty nice payday. Schmidt, 33, had five goals, 19 points, and a plus-4 rating in 80 regular-season games this year with the Panthers. He then followed that up with three goals, 12 points, and a plus-9 rating in 23 playoff games for Florida. Without any doubt, he was a great value signing for the Panthers in 2024-25. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA After locking up key pending UFAs, Panthers may still have work to do as free agency opens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/after-locking-up-key-pending-ufas-panthers-may-still-have-work-to-do-as-free-agency-opens] Panthers to sign Brad Marchand to multi-year extension, per report [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-to-sign-brad-marchand-to-multi-year-extension-per-report] Report: Aaron Ekblad staying with Panthers on long-term extension [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/report-aaron-ekblad-staying-with-panthers-on-long-term-extension] NHL Rumors: Insider Names 3 Suitors For Brad Marchand [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/nhl-rumors-insider-names-3-suitors-for-brad-marchand] Stanley Cup heading to Montreal, will soon have names of 2024-25 Florida Panthers engraved onto it [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/stanley-cup-heading-to-montreal-will-soon-have-names-of-2024-25-florida-panthers-engraved-onto-it] Photo Credit: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
