ECHL: 2025-26 Qualifying Offers | Florida Everblades

The Florida Everblades continue to shape their roster as they chase another championship-caliber season. On July 7, the team extended qualifying offers to six players from their 2024–25 season-ending roster.

Players tendered qualifying offers:

• Goaltender: David Tendeck
• Defensemen: Cole Moberg, Riese Zmolek, Santino Centorame
• Forwards: Craig Needham, Kyle Betts

This group features returning depth across all positions—players who played meaningful roles in Florida’s recent campaigns.

Understanding Qualifying Offers

In the ECHL, a qualifying offer is a way for a team to say, “We’re not done with you yet.”

It doesn’t mean a player has re-signed, but it does give the team exclusive ECHL negotiating rights to that player heading into the new season. It’s a strategic tool for building roster continuity and preserving chemistry.

Here’s how it works:

• Teams can extend offers to up to eight players from their season-ending roster
• Only four of those may be veterans (defined as players with 260+ regular-season pro games before 2023–24)
• Players who already signed don’t need an offer
• Players on open qualifying offers cannot be traded
• If a qualified player remains unsigned by August 8, they become an unrestricted free agent

It’s one of the final checkpoints before the full free-agent market opens.

Player Spotlight: David Tendeck – Goaltender (Signed Overseas)

David Tendeck made a short but solid return to the Everblades in 2024–25, posting a 2.31 goals-against average and .902 save percentage over two appearances. Earlier that season, he played 20 games with the Manchester Storm in the UK’s EIHL, finishing with a .919 save percentage and a 10-10-0 record.

Tendeck has experience across the ECHL and AHL with stints in Atlanta, Idaho, Wheeling, Rapid City, and Tucson. Known for his athleticism and calm presence in net, he’s continued to build a diverse pro résumé.

For the 2025–26 season, Tendeck has signed overseas. However, by extending a qualifying offer, the Everblades retain his ECHL rights in the event he returns to North America.

Player Spotlight: Cole Moberg – Defenseman (Signed Overseas)

Cole Moberg has been a playoff-tested staple on the Florida blue line for three straight seasons, and his latest postseason run was no exception. In 2024–25, he appeared in 39 regular-season games with 14 points and followed it with a productive eight points in 15 playoff games, helping anchor the Everblades’ back end.

Moberg also brings AHL experience from earlier stops with Syracuse, San Jose, and Rockford. Known for his puck-moving ability and reliable minutes in high-pressure situations, he’s been a key part of Florida’s deep playoff pushes in recent years, including three straight Kelly Cup Finals appearances.

For the 2025–26 season, Moberg has signed with HC Innsbruck of the ICEHL. By issuing a qualifying offer, Florida retains his ECHL rights should he return to North America.

Player Spotlight: Craig Needham – Forward

Craig Needham played his first full professional season with the Everblades in 2024–25, appearing in 63 regular-season games and posting eight goals and 10 assists (18 points) with a +9 rating. He also suited up for all 15 playoff games, adding one goal and continuing to show value as a dependable two-way forward.

Needham joined Florida at the end of the 2022–23 season after completing a five-year collegiate career at Providence College, where he served as an alternate captain.

Player Spotlight: Riese Zmolek – Defenseman

Wearing the “A” on his sweater for the second straight year, Riese Zmolek was a steady leader on Florida’s blue line in 2024–25. He played in 43 regular-season games, contributing 11 assists and a standout +23 rating, the best among Everblades defensemen. Although he appeared in just one playoff game this year, his presence in the locker room and defensive zone remained valued.

Previously, Zmolek played a key role in Florida’s 2023 playoff run, adding six points in 23 games en route to a Kelly Cup win. He also brings AHL experience from stints with the Iowa Wild and Rochester Americans, along with captaincy and leadership credentials from his time with the Iowa Heartlanders.

Player Spotlight: Kyle Betts – Forward

Kyle Betts immediately made an impact in his first full season with the Everblades in 2024–25, tallying 13 goals and 21 assists (34 points) over 68 games with a strong +17 rating. He elevated his game in the playoffs, adding five goals and five assists (10 points) in 15 postseason contests as a key contributor in Florida’s deep run.

Betts brought ECHL and AHL experience with him, having previously suited up for the Utah Grizzlies and Belleville Senators, and his ability to play a smart two-way game made him a trusted option in all situations.

Player Spotlight: Santino Centorame – Defenseman

Santino Centorame joined the Everblades during the 2024–25 season and quickly settled into Florida’s defensive rotation. In 34 regular-season games, he notched one goal and 10 assists (11 points) with a +17 rating, adding one assist across 14 playoff games during Florida’s postseason push.

Centorame brings a well-rounded game and veteran poise, with prior ECHL experience in Indy and Trois-Rivières, as well as 16 games at the AHL level with Laval. His ability to move the puck and contribute steady minutes makes him a valuable depth piece.

Recent Signings: Familiar Faces Returning to Florida

Alongside their qualifying offers, the Everblades have been busy reloading with key returning players ahead of the 2025–26 season.

Defenseman Jordan Sambrook re-signed as announced today, bringing back one of Florida’s most trusted blueliners. A steady two-way presence and playoff standout, Sambrook enters his fifth full season with the team and remains a foundational piece on the back end.

Forward Isaac Nurse was brought back on July 3 after a strong first full ECHL season, where he carved out a valuable depth role and made his presence known during the team’s playoff push.

Forward Jesse Lansdell, who signing was announced on July 1, returns for his third season in Estero. Coming off a productive season, Lansdell adds grit and offensive upside to Florida’s forward group.

Sean Allen, a hard-nosed defenseman, signed back on June 30. Allen logged 59 games last season and brought grit and physicality to the Everblades’ blue line. His return adds edge and veteran experience to the team’s defensive corps.

With qualifying rights now extended to six more players and multiple familiar names locked in, the Everblades are taking a clear step toward continuity as they build their next Kelly Cup contender.

What’s Next for Florida?

Extending qualifying offers to six players means the Everblades still have room to maneuver under the ECHL limit of eight. While these six aren’t guaranteed to return, the move gives Florida control over who might fill out their depth chart heading into camp.

With early re-signings already rolling in across the league, all eyes now shift to who signs next—and who surprises us in September.