BHN Exclusive: Boston Bruins Signing Veteran Alex Petrovic to PTO

According to NHL sources, the Boston Bruins will be signing 27-year-old veteran unrestricted free agent defenseman Alex Petrovic to a professional tryout contract. It was first reported on August 4th here at Boston Hockey Now that the Bruins had interest in the veteran and had offered him a PTO. According to the sources, Petrovic – who finished last season as a member of the Edmonton Oilers following a December trade from the Florida Panthers – has accepted the offer. The Calgary Flames were also reportedly interested in Petrovic as well.

The 2010 second-round pick joins Boston for camp next month amid unrest on the Bruins blueline. RFA’s Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo are both still unsigned and could be camp holdouts. Club President Cam Neely confirmed earlier this month that the team has a plan and is prepared to go into camp without McAvoy and Carlo.

Petrovic was drafted 36th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2010. He made his NHL debut with the Panthers during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. Petrovic has appeared in 263 career NHL games, 254 with Florida and nine with Edmonton while registering five goals and 45 assists for 50 career points.

In 2018-19, Petrovic appeared in 35 total games with Florida and Edmonton. He picked up two points, both assists, and averaged 16:32 time-on-ice per game. Petrovic finished the season with a 48.4% Corsi For% at five-on-five and a 48.3% Fenwick For% at five-on-five. (All numbers via hockey-reference)

The veteran right-shot blueliner is best suited to a third-pairing or seventh defender role, according to most scouts. The physical rearguard stands in at 6’4 and 215 pounds.