FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers parted ways with four players who skated in the NHL last season, declining to extend qualifying offers to restricted free agents Donovan Sebrango, Cole Schwindt, Wilmer Skoog and Mike Benning ahead of free agency opening Wednesday at noon.
The moves, first reported by Florida Hockey Now, clear roster space but also sever ties with two players the organization drafted. Skoog and Benning both made their NHL debuts with the Panthers last season. Benning, the son of original Panther Brian Benning, scored two goals with six points in 18 games for Florida — a modest but promising showing for a player drafted by the club in 2020.
Schwindt’s departure carries its own footnote. Originally drafted by the Panthers, he was sent to Calgary as part of the 2022 Matthew Tkachuk trade, then returned to the organization after Florida claimed him off waivers from Vegas before last season. Sebrango was similarly picked up off waivers, claimed from Ottawa early in the year after defenseman Dmitry Kulikov was injured in Game 2.
The Panthers did extend qualifying offers to three restricted free agents: forward Ben Steeves and defensemen Toby Bjornfot and Mikulas Hovorka, keeping all three in the organization. Florida also released defenseman Evan Nause, who spent last season with ECHL Savannah.
All four unqualified players become unrestricted free agents Wednesday and can sign with any team. The roster trimming comes as the Panthers shift focus to player development, with Development Camp running Monday through Thursday at the IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale.
The Panthers’ offseason calendar accelerates from there: Rookie Camp is scheduled for late August or early September, training camp opens in early to mid-September in Fort Lauderdale, and preseason play begins Sept. 20 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 2026-27 NHL regular season is set to open in late September.