Anton Lundell signed a six-year contract with the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 22-year-old forward, who was a restricted free agent, had 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 78 regular-season games for the Panthers last season and 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Panthers win the Cup.
In the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, Lundell led the Panthers with five assists and his five points were tied for second on the team behind Evan Rodrigues (seven points).
“Anton has become a reliable all-around center for our club, seizing his opportunity from his first day in North America,” said Panthers general manager Bill Zito. “His commitment to improvement and cerebral approach to the game have earned him the deep respect of his teammates and coaches, and we are excited to see him continue to grow and succeed with the Panthers.”
Selected by Florida in the first round (12th) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Lundell has 112 points (43 goals, 69 assists) in 216 regular-season games and 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 54 playoff games.
Also on Wednesday, the Panthers signed defenseman Nate Schmidt for a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 32-year-old defenseman became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after the Winnipeg Jets bought out the final season of his contract. He signed a six-year, $35.7 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 25, 2018, for an average annual value of $5.95 million, and has been traded twice since.
Schmidt had 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in 63 regular-season games with the Jets last season and one goal in three Stanley Cup Playoff games.
“Nate is an experienced, puck-moving defenseman who should fit right in with our style of play,” Zito said. “We’re excited to welcome him to our club in 2024-25.”
Signed by the Washington Capitals as an undrafted free agent on June 21, 2017, Schmidt has 220 points (47 goals, 173 assists) in 661 regular season games for the Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Golden Knights and Capitals and 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) in 76 playoff games.
On Monday, the first day of NHL free agency, the Panthers re-signed the forward Sam Reinhart to an eight-year contract and defender Dmitry Kulikov to a four-year contract and added three depth forwards by signing Thomas Nosek to a one-year contract, AJ Greer to a two-year contract, and Jesper Boqvist to a one-year contract. Goalkeeper Chris Driedger signed a one-year contract.
