On the eve of the opening of NHL unrestricted free agency, the Florida Panthers took care of a few of their own.
The Cats re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Alex Petrovic to one-year deal worth $1.8 million according to CapFriendly. A second-round pick in 2010, the 25-year-old Petrovic appeared in 49 game last season and posted 1 goal and 13 assists to go along with 79 PIM and -1 rating. His plus/minus rating was second-best among the club’s regular defensemen.
After not tendering qualifying offers to AHLers Chase Balisy and Reece Scarlett, the Panthers came to terms with the pair on one-year, two-way deals right before they hit the free agent market.
Balisy led the Springfield Thunderbirds in scoring with a career-high 45 points (17G/28A) last season. His contract is worth $650K at the NHL level and $95K at the AHL level. The 25-year-old forward has played the last three seasons in the AHL and has yet to appear in an NHL game.
Scarlett suited up for 50 AHL games last season, 49 with Albany and one with Springfield after he was acquired from the New Jersey Devils. The 24-year-old defenseman totaled 5 goals and 17 assists and posted a combined -5 rating. He scored a goal in his one game with the Thunderbirds. His deal is worth $675K at the NHL level and $80K at the AHL level.