The 26-year-old goalie was 16-10-6 with a 2.59 goals-against average, .893 save percentage and two shutouts in 34 games (29 starts) this season. He did not appear in a Stanley Cup Playoff game for Vegas, which lost in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Final.
Schmid, who can become a restricted free agent on July 1, was extended a qualifying offer by the Golden Knights earlier on Monday.
Selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round (No. 136) of the 2018 NHL Draft, Schmid is 32-28-10 with a 2.66 GAA, .898 save percentage and three shutouts in 82 regular-season games (65 starts) for the Devils and Golden Knights. He is 4-4 with a 2.26 GAA, .924 save percentage and two shutouts in 10 playoff games (eight starts).
“Akira is a talented and athletic goaltender who has shown poise in high-pressure moments,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “We are excited to welcome him to our organization.”
