A buried protection clause suddenly handed the Panthers a top-10 pick
Four Panthers RFAs Bill Zito Must Re-Sign — And What’s Really at Stake This Offseason
Florida enters the 2026 offseason battered by injuries, a front office exodus, and big roster decisions. Here’s the RFA breakdown every Panthers fan needs to read.
Florida’s front office turmoil adds urgency to this offseason. With key decision-makers leaving for rival teams, GM Bill Zito must act quickly to secure critical RFAs before institutional knowledge is lost.
Re-signing the four priority RFAs is essential for roster depth and cap flexibility. Samoskevich, Benning, Sebrango, and Bjornfot each fill a specific need at a manageable cost — whether they stay in Florida or are used in trades.
The goaltending situation looms large. Sergei Bobrovsky’s free agency will define the offseason, and Florida’s ability to address their RFA class cleanly will determine how much leverage they have to solve their biggest problem.
The Panthers have been one of the NHL’s smartest organizations in recent years, and Zito has proven himself as a capable architect. But this offseason is a stress test like no other.
The Florida Panthers didn’t just miss the playoffs this past season — they face an offseason full of challenges that extend well beyond the ice. Injuries to stars Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk derailed the campaign, while the front office is being raided by rival teams, leaving GM Bill Zito with more than a few fires to extinguish.
But before addressing the looming goaltending dilemma, trade rumors, or the free-agent market, Zito must first secure his restricted free agents (RFAs). With the NHL’s qualifying offer deadline set for 5 PM EST on June 30, these decisions will shape the foundation of Florida’s offseason strategy.
Here’s a breakdown of the four RFAs Zito must prioritize — and what’s really at stake for the Panthers.
The Bigger Picture: A Front Office in Transition
Before diving into the players, it’s important to address the precarious state of Florida’s front office.
Sunny Mehta, the Panthers’ former assistant general manager, has departed to become the general manager of the New Jersey Devils. In his wake, he’s already taken Braden Birch, Florida’s director of hockey operations, and is reportedly courting Bryan McCabe, the Panthers’ director of player personnel. To make matters worse, assistant GM Brett Peterson is now a hot commodity, with several teams expressing interest in his services.
Why does this matter? Because the people leaving the organization are the same people who know the most about Florida’s prospects and player development pipeline. If Zito wants to make the right calls on this RFA class — and avoid losing valuable assets prematurely — he’ll need to act decisively before even more institutional knowledge walks out the door.
The Four RFAs Florida Must Re-Sign
1. Mackie Samoskevich, RW — Age 23
Samoskevich is the Panthers’ most important RFA, but his situation is also the trickiest.
After a promising rookie season in 2024-25, where he posted 15 goals and 31 points in 72 games, Samoskevich had an opportunity to step into a top-six role when injuries sidelined Barkov and Tkachuk. Unfortunately, he struggled to capitalize, finishing with a disappointing 12 goals and 32 points over 77 games.
Despite the underwhelming numbers, Samoskevich’s elite speed and two years of NHL experience make him a valuable asset. At just 23, his potential remains sky-high. Re-signing him is a no-brainer, but whether he stays in Florida long-term is another question. If Zito needs to trade for a starting goaltender, Samoskevich is Florida’s most valuable trade chip.
2. Mike Benning, D — Age 24
Benning’s name may not be as well-known as Samoskevich’s, but he’s a rising star in the Panthers’ system.
The 24-year-old defenseman had a standout season in the AHL, tallying 8 goals and 31 points in 57 games for the Charlotte Checkers. When called up to the NHL, Benning proved he could handle significant minutes, logging three games with over 20 minutes of ice time.
While he’s slightly undersized for a defenseman, his skating and puck-moving abilities make him a perfect fit for Florida’s system, which emphasizes speed and transition play. Locking him into an affordable RFA deal now is smart cap management, especially as he competes for a depth role on the blueline next season.
3. Donovan Sebrango, D — Age 24
Sebrango was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult season for Florida.
Claimed off waivers, the 6-foot-2 defenseman stepped into a third-pairing role and delivered exactly what the Panthers needed: physicality, dependability, and low-maintenance play. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable — and in a league where depth defensemen are often in short supply, that reliability is valuable.
Re-signing Sebrango on a modest deal is a low-risk move that ensures Florida has a steady presence on its bottom pairing.
4. Tobias Bjornfot, D — Age 25
Bjornfot is the most intriguing RFA on this list.
A former first-round pick (22nd overall by the LA Kings in 2019), Bjornfot has 153 NHL games under his belt but has struggled to secure a permanent spot in any lineup. However, he found a promising fit in Florida, where he played 19 games before an injury cut his season short.
At 25, Bjornfot offers a blend of experience and upside. Paired with Sebrango, he provides the kind of interchangeable, low-cost depth that playoff teams rely on. Re-signing him is a no-brainer if the price is right.
The Elephant in the Room: Bobrovsky and the Goalie Crisis
All of these RFA decisions are happening under the shadow of Florida’s most pressing offseason question: what to do about Sergei Bobrovsky.
The veteran goaltender is a UFA this summer and is reportedly seeking a long-term deal. At 37 years old, that’s a risky proposition for Florida, especially given the cap space it would consume. If Bobrovsky walks, the Panthers will face a full-blown goaltending crisis — and Samoskevich’s value as a trade chip could become pivotal in acquiring a replacement.
The road back to contention starts here — with small, smart decisions that lay the groundwork for the big ones to come.
