Nate Schmidt, former Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers, has signed a lucrative three-year contract with the Utah Mammoth, valued at $3.5 million annually. After being bought out by the Winnipeg Jets last June, Schmidt had a brief stint with the Panthers, where he contributed significantly to their playoff run, scoring 12 points in 23 postseason games.

Despite his successful season, Florida's salary cap constraints led to their inability to re-sign him, especially after extending contracts for top players Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand. Schmidt now joins a formidable lineup in Utah, which features notable players like Ian Cole and Mikhail Sergachev, suggesting a deep roster aiming for a competitive season ahead.