Alex Petrovic

Petrovic scored five goals and 22 points in 70 contests with AHL Texas in 2023-24. He appeared in just one regular-season game for Dallas last campaign, though he did suit up in seven playoff outings, recording no points, two PIM, 14 hits and four blocks during that stretch. The 32-year-old is strictly an organizational depth blueliner and will likely start the season in the minors. However, if Dallas runs into injury issues, then he might get called up and serve in a bottom-pairing capacity.

Petrovic didn't see any NHL action in 2019-20, instead playing 54 games with AHL Providence. He had 20 points over that span, but he's never been a notable scorer at the NHL level. He topped out at 17 points in 66 games with the Panthers in 2015-16, and it's unlikely the 28-year-old will make any significant progress this year. The Edmonton native will likely fill a bottom-pairing role at best for the Flames, and he's liable to spend time in the press box as a healthy scratch, as the team will want top prospect Juuso Valimaki in the lineup as much as possible. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect more than 10 points out of Petrovic this year, although his lofty hit totals may grab some attention -- he's topped 100 hits in each of his last four NHL campaigns.

Despite playing in a career-high 67 games last season, Petrovic averaged just 14:39 of ice time per game, his lowest since the 2013-14 season where he played just seven games. He's settled into his role as a depth defenseman with the Panthers, scoring two goals and 13 points with just 60 shots on goal during the 2017-18 campaign. The 26-year-old does provide a physical presence, racking up 142 hits and 74 blocked shots as well. He isn't a strong fantasy asset in standard fantasy leagues, but could be a decent option as a depth blueliner in deeper formats.

Petrovic played just 49 games this past season due to an ankle injury, but he arguably had his best season yet, averaging a career-high 18:09 per game. He’s a rough-and-tumble, stay-at-home defenseman in an era that puts a premium on blueliners who can skate and move the puck, which limits his use, but teams love having a guy who can clear the crease. Petrovic’s 106 hits led the team despite his limited appearances, and his 2.2 hits per game ranked 24th among defensemen who’ve played at least 40 games. While he'll probably never see much power-play usage, if any, Petrovic has certainly earned a regular spot in the lineup. He’s ostensibly entering his prime at 25 years old, but his projected third-pairing role will limit his fantasy value to formats that count hits and PIM.

Petrovic displayed a lot of physicality in his first full season with the Panthers, racking up 90 PIM and 157 hits to go along with two goals, 15 assists and a plus-17 rating in 66 games. The 6-foot-4, 206-pound wing was trusted with just under 17 minutes of ice time per game in a third-pairing role, and he’ll likely see similar usage this season, as Florida addressed its many blue-line departures in free agency. Petrovic isn’t projected to see much (if any) power-play time and hasn’t shown much offensive ability in the minors, leaving his fantasy upside on the low end.

While splitting his time between the AHL and NHL last season, Petrovic began displaying some of the offensive firepower he provided in his junior career. In 41 games for AHL San Antonio, Petrovic scored three goals and 17 assists while chipping in 59 penalty minutes, though his numbers took a significant dip when he received the call-up to Florida. He appears to have the inside track on the sixth defenseman spot for the Panthers, but will likely be with the team whether or not he dresses every game.

Petrovic only saw action in seven games with the Panthers, but he played half the season with San Antonio of the AHL where he had 13 points and 79 PIM in 43 games. Petrovic has a chance to be among the Panthers top-eight defensemen to start the year, but his fate may depend on whether top pick Aaron Eckblad makes the team. If Petrovic sees a regular turn he will be a physical presence on the blue line, but only a fantasy factor in leagues that count PIM.

Petrovic played six games with the Panthers last season and only managed to rack up 25 PIMs. It looks like the vast majority of any fantasy value he provides will come from his willingness to drop the gloves.

The Panthers should boast an impressive defensive corps in the future with Dmitri Kulikov and Erik Gudbranson in the system, and Petrovic as the team's 36th overall pick in this year's draft. Unlike the prospects above, Petrovic likely will not see any time in the NHL this season. Instead, the efficacious rearguard will continue his development with the Red Deer Rebels for his fourth season in the WHL, a junior league.