The Florida Panthers made qualifying offers to three of their seven restricted free agents by the NHL-imposed 5 p.m. deadline yesterday.
Remaining in the organizational fold are forwards Vincent Trocheck and Logan Shaw and defenseman Jonathan Racine. Other teams can give any of the trio an offer sheet, but the Cats would have the right to match or receive compensation in the form of drafts picks if they didn’t.
Quinton Howden, Dylan Olsen, Greg McKegg and John McFarland were not tendered, meaning they will become unrestricted free agents on July 1. The club could try to sign any of them to a new deal after that date if they so desired.
General Manager Tome Rowe has been working on getting Trocheck signed to a long-term and hopes to have it done by the start of training camp.
Shaw will likely battle with the likes of Connor Brickley and Lawson Crouse for a spot on the Panthers’ fourth line, while Racine will get another look in training camp, but seems destined to continue his development in Springfield with the Thunderbirds.
Who are you the saddest to see go among the unretained RFAs?
| Quinton Howden | 180 |
| Dylan Olsen | 43 |
| Greg McKegg | 23 |
| John McFarland | 6 |