The Florida Panthers have announced qualifying offers to three restricted free agents, a move that keeps Ben Steeves, Tobias Bjornfot and Mikulas Hovorka under contract as the club gears up for the upcoming expansion draft.
A Productive Season in the AHL
Steeves enjoyed a breakout year with the Charlotte Checkers, recording 23 goals and 55 points in 72 games, underscoring his readiness for an NHL role.
Bjornfot, who split the season between the Panthers and the Checkers, appeared in 19 NHL games and contributed 33 AHL outings, while Hovorka made his NHL debut in February, logging four games for Florida.
Looking Ahead to July 1
With the new league year looming on July 1, the Panthers are expected to be active in the trade market, particularly at goaltender, as they seek to bolster depth ahead of the expansion draft.