Panthers Assign Alexander Petrovic To The AHL Ahead Of Aaron Ekblad's Return

When Gustav Forsling was announced day-to-day and Aaron Ekblad was away from the team for personal reasons, the Florida Panthers recalled Alexander Petrovic from the AHL.

Petrovic didn't play in any games with the NHL club; Uvis Balinskis stepped into the lineup for Forsling, and when Ekblad left, Forsling returned. But it is still noteworthy that the Panthers turned to Petrovic first ahead of players like Donovan Sebrango, Tobias Bjornfot, and Mikulas Hovorka, all of whom were called up at some point last season.

Petrovic spent the past three seasons with the Dallas Stars and played 54 games in the 2025-26 season. The 34-year-old, 6-foot-5 right-handed defender was originally a second-round draft pick of the Panthers in 2010 and played seven seasons with the club before joining the Edmonton Oilers in the 2018-19 season. 

As for Ekblad, he missed the previous two games for personal reasons, but according to NHL.com's Jameson Olive, he's expected to return for Saturday's home opener. 

In two games this season, Ekblad has recorded one assist and is averaging 20:55 of ice time. 

The Panthers will take on the Minnesota Wild in their home opener. The Wild are 2-0-1 to start the season, but they are without Brock Faber, Nick Foligno, and goaltender Filip Gustavsson. The Panthers will be without Aleksander Barkov and, presumably, Brad Marchand due to injuries.

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