Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Dishes two helpers in win
Rotowire
Balinskis notched two assists, four shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Predators.
Balinskis has three helpers over his last two games, and two of those assists have come on the power play. The 28-year-old defenseman is quarterbacking the first power-play unit, so he's worth at least a speculative add in most fantasy formats. He's up to four helpers this season, surpassing his point total (three) from 26 regular-season outings in 2023-24. Balinskis has added 13 shots on net, 13 hits, six blocked shots, nine PIM and a minus-1 rating over 14 contests in 2024-25.
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Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Collects assist in win
Rotowire
Balinskis notched an assist in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Stars in Finland.
Balinskis hadn't gotten on the scoresheet since Opening Night. The defenseman is seeing consistent power-play usage, but it hasn't helped his offense. The 28-year-old is up to two assists, nine shots on net, 11 hits, six blocked shots, seven PIM and a minus-1 rating through 13 appearances. He had just three points in 26 regular-season outings in 2023-24, his first year in the NHL, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to have a sudden uptick in scoring.
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Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Chips in helper
Rotowire
Balinskis recorded an assist and two PIM in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Bruins.
Balinskis was in the Opening Night lineup over Nate Schmidt. There may be room for both players Thursday versus the Senators after Adam Boqvist (face) left Tuesday's game. Balinskis had three points, 22 shots on net, 33 hits and 15 blocked shots in 26 regular-season games as a rookie in 2023-24, but he didn't appear in any of the Panthers' playoff games on their march to a Stanley Cup championship. Balinskis could get more playing time this year, but he has a long way to go to be an option for fantasy managers.
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Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Summoned from AHL
Rotowire
Balinskis was called up from AHL Charlotte on Wednesday.
Balinskis has three goals and 21 points in 37 contests with Charlotte in 2023-24. He also has collected a goal and three points in 22 outings with the Panthers. He's back with Florida after Aaron Ekblad exited Tuesday's contest against Montreal because of an undisclosed injury.
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Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Called up from minors
Rotowire
Balinskis was promoted to the NHL roster Thursday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Balinskis figures to serve as an emergency depth defenseman due to the absence of Aaron Ekblad (lower body) and Dmitry Kulikov (suspension). If the 27-year-old Balinskis were to get into the lineup against Nashville on Thursday, it would likely come at the expense of Tobias Bjornfot.
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Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Agrees to two-year extension
Rotowire
Balinskis signed a two-year contract extension with Florida on Wednesday.
Balinskis is playing on a one-year, entry-level deal and would have become an unrestricted free agent this summer had he not agreed to this extension. The 27-year-old, who is currently with AHL Charlotte, has two points in 18 contests with Florida as well as seven points in seven minor-league outings this season.
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Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Summoned from minors
Rotowire
Balinskis was recalled from AHL Charlotte on Sunday.
Balinskis has contributed one goal, one assist, 16 shots on net, 12 blocked shots and 19 hits over 15 NHL appearances this season. He scored a goal in his lone AHL outing during a 5-2 loss to Hershey on Saturday.
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Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Heads to minors
Rotowire
Balinskis was reassigned to AHL Charlotte on Friday.
Balinskis has a goal and two points in 15 games with Florida this season. The 27-year-old signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers in April after scoring 11 goals and 35 points in 50 contests with Liberec of the Czech League last year.
