The Florida Panthers made a pair of roster moves on Saturday, recalling defenseman Alexander Petrovic and forward Sam Lafferty from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.
With captain Aleksander Barkov (lower body) being placed on LTIR, the Panthers are in need of reinforcements, but also now have the cap space to carry additional players.
“They’ll come up today, so we’ll have guys,” head coach Paul Maurice said following practice at Great Park Ice Arena.
Returning to the Panthers on a one-year, two-way contract in July, Petrovic, who was originally drafted by Florida in the second round (36th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, has recorded 60 points (7G, 53A) in 323 career games over the course of his 10-year career.
Last season, Petrovic notched 10 points (2G, 8A) in 54 games with the Dallas Stars.
“I just want to show them that I’m capable to shut it down back there,” Petrovic said during the preseason. “I just want to be a reliable defender.”
Joining the Panthers on a one-year, two-way contract in July, Lafferty has registered 92 points (41G, 51A) over 378 career NHL games. Last season, the 31-year-old veteran suited up in 29 games with the Chicago Blackhawks, recording two points (1G, 1A) and 35 hits.
Lafferty also represented Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
“Credit Bill (Panthers general manager and president of hockey operations Bill Zito) and his staff,” Maurice said. “We have some really good depth here. We have NHL veteran players that can come in and help lift the load.”
