Panthers Extend Qualifying Offers to Key Restricted Free Agents

As the NHL’s July 1 deadline approaches, the Florida Panthers are making strategic moves to solidify their roster. On Monday, the team announced qualifying offers for three of their restricted free agents: forward Ben Steeves and defensemen Toby Bjornfot and Mikulas Hovorka, all of whom made significant contributions to the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers last season.

Steeves had an impressive campaign, netting 23 goals and amassing 55 points in 72 games with the Checkers. His performance has positioned him as a valuable asset for the Panthers moving forward. Meanwhile, Bjornfot continues to navigate his path between the NHL and AHL, having played 19 games with Florida, where he tallied two goals and two assists while also spending time with Charlotte, where he recorded four goals and 12 points over 33 games.

Hovorka also split his playing time between the AHL and NHL, making his debut with the Panthers in February. He participated in four games with Florida, earning his first NHL point—an assist—during a dominant 8-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on the final day of the regular season. In the AHL, he showcased his skills over 57 games, scoring five goals and accumulating 18 points, all while maintaining an impressive plus-23 on-ice rating.

On the flip side, players like Cole Schwindt, Donovan Sebrango, Mike Benning, Evan Nause, and Wilmer Skoog did not receive qualifying offers, a decision that aligns with previous reports indicating that Schwindt and Sebrango would not be retained. With the new league year looming, the Panthers are expected to be active in the trade market, particularly in their pursuit of goaltending depth and potentially adding more talent to their roster.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.