Sunrise, FL (Best E Casino) - The Florida Panthers extended qualifying contract offers to restricted free-agent defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and six others on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old hulking backliner registered 15 goals and 37 points over 82 games for the Panthers a year ago. The Edmonton native has 38 goals and 161 points in 389 career games over five seasons, all with Florida.

In addition, forwards Gregory Campbell, Rostislav Olesz, Anthony Stewart, Stefan Meyer and Drew Larman along with defenseman Martin Lojek received offers.

The club did not extend offers to restricted free agent defensemen Garth Murray and Martin Tuma, or forward Adam Taylor.