SUNRISE - The Florida Panthers recalled defenseman Alexander Petrovic and forward Sam Lafferty from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL on Saturday, filling roster spots opened when captain Aleksander Barkov was placed on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
Head coach Paul Maurice confirmed the moves following practice at Great Park Ice Arena. “They’ll come up today, so we’ll have guys,” Maurice said, adding that the team’s organizational depth made the transition manageable. “Credit Bill and his staff,” Maurice said, referring to general manager and president of hockey operations Bill Zito. “We have some really good depth here. We have NHL veteran players that can come in and help lift the load.”
Petrovic, originally drafted by Florida in the second round, 36th overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft, returns to the Panthers on a two-year contract signed in July. The defenseman has recorded 60 points — 7 goals and 53 assists — across 323 career NHL games over a 10-year career. Last season, Petrovic posted 10 points, including 2 goals and 8 assists, 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.”
Lafferty, 31, joins the Panthers on a one-year, two-way contract also signed in July. The veteran forward has registered 92 points — 41 goals and 51 assists — over 378 career NHL games. Last season, Lafferty appeared in 29 games with the Chicago Blackhawks, recording 2 points, 1 goal and 1 assist, along with 35 hits. He also represented Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
Barkov’s placement on LTIR not only created roster necessity but also freed cap space, allowing the Panthers to carry the additional players. No timetable for Barkov’s return has been announced.