Panthers Are Going to Regret Not Extending A.J. Greer

The Florida Panthers are patiently waiting for the start of next season. With a record of 40-38-4 and 84 points, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018 after winning two consecutive Stanley Cups. They have to look forward to prior to said start, that being the draft and free agency. They look to get back to the Stanley Cup Final and win their third in four years.

However, their free agency is already off to a bad start before the period even begins. According to Elliotte Friedman, forward A.J. Greer will test the free agency market. This loss is going to hurt the team more than they realize.

Panthers Lose the Sandpaper

One of Greer’s biggest traits was how he was not one to shy away from getting his hands dirty. While they have other guys that can do it, it was a huge factor in the team’s success during their Stanley Cup run in 2025.

With his grit, he racked up a ton of penalty minutes. In his last two seasons with the Panthers, he had a total of 243.

Greer’s Production Was Helpful to Win the Stanley Cup

Greer’s contribution on the fourth line did not go unnoticed. He put up some decent numbers in his two seasons here.

Through 159 regular season games across two years, he found the back of the net 23 times and was credited with 26 assists. In 16 playoff appearances, he lit the lamp twice and tallied an assist as he helped the Panthers win their second straight Stanley Cup.

Bill Zito Has Gotten Lucky Finding Good Fourth Liners, but the Luck May Have Run Out

Throughout his time as the general manager of the Florida Panthers, Bill Zito has always managed to find good fourth-line products within free agency.

In their 2024 Cup win, forward Kevin Stenlund, now a member of the Utah Mammoth, was a key part that came to the Panthers in free agency. In addition, they got help from former Buffalo Sabres captain Kyle Okposo in a trade. In the 2023 run, forward Eric Staal provided a small boost both in the regular season and the playoffs.

This was a very similar situation that led the team to acquire Greer, and it paid dividends in the grand scheme of things. But this strategy could run out soon enough, as the upcoming free agent class of left wingers could be a pretty penny to acquire. Furthermore, the top ones in the market are well into their mid-to-late 30s, meaning they may not get as much out of them. Unless Zito hits yet another home run, replacing the gap is a very tall task.

They can also use the ninth overall pick to select someone to fill the role in the draft. But even if the selected player has a great track record in college or in the minors, he’s still considered unproven at the NHL level.

What’s Going to Happen?

Greer will, unfortunately, be leaving South Florida, and there is no turning back. As shown before, watching him get on the next plane is going to hurt, especially with what he’s done for this team.

Zito is going to have to make a big decision when the free agency period begins, along with the draft in mere weeks. But with his track record, he’s made the best of these situations. But the fact of the matter is that he is in this situation to begin with, starting the new league year off on a low note.