Overview

• Schmidt’s new contract marks his return to a multi-year deal after an $800,000 season in Florida and represents his sixth NHL stop since debuting as an undrafted signing in 2013.
• In 80 regular-season games with the Panthers, he recorded five goals and 19 points before contributing three goals and 12 points in 23 playoff games to lift Florida to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
• General manager Bill Armstrong views Schmidt’s hard-nosed style and veteran presence as key assets for a young defense corps that narrowly missed the playoffs in the franchise’s first year in Utah.
• The Minnesota native highlighted Utah’s outdoors-oriented, family-friendly environment as an ideal fit for his growing family, which is expecting a second child this summer.
• Schmidt will reunite with former Capitals teammate Liam O’Brien, aiming to spark team chemistry with their ‘Big Tuna’ and ‘Spicy Tuna’ dynamic and model a winning culture.