The Florida Panthers have found themselves in an especially sticky spot amid the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. After winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, the franchise is outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture with 25 games left within the 2025-26 regular season.
Currently sitting last place within the Atlantic Division — and a full eight points out of a postseason slot — the Panthers could actually look to sell a player or two between now and the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline.
One player who has been brought up as a possible trade chip is power forward AJ Greer, who is ready to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
“An AJ Greer type player, I just wonder, what variety of value he may need for a rival team?” speculated hockey analyst Jason Gregor on a recent episode of Every day Faceoff’s DFO Rundown.
“He has won a Stanley Cup. He’s a really defined role player, but those sorts of guys, he is available in… he’s physical, and he can play. So I ponder if a team is on the lookout for somewhat more aggressiveness. I do know that is Florida’s MO, but are they going to wish to keep each him and Jonah Gadjovich?”
AJ Greer has been excellent for Panthers this season
Greer has put together a powerful season in Florida’s bottom-six because the club continues to be ravaged by injuries in 2025-26. The 29-year-old, who won the Stanley Cup with the team last June, has already shattered his career-highs with 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games.
Last yr, Greer managed 17 points in 81 regular season games, adding one other two goals and an assist over 16 Stanley Cup Playoff contests. Besides his contributions on the scoresheet, Greer is a physical forward who is not afraid to throw the body. The previous second round selection within the 2015 NHL Draft amassed 222 hits last season, and is already at 145 up to now this yr.
Although he’s emerged right into a reliable player in Sunrise, Greer’s trade value is higher now than it’s ever been; he had never scored greater than six goals in a campaign until this season.
Greer is making $850,000 in 2025-26, and can command a raise on his next deal. The Panthers are strapped tight to the salary cap, and may not have the option to make the veteran forward fit into the cap picture going forward.
Florida is in a difficult position after spending a ton of cash last summer — especially on deals for Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad — so it’s likely a few these UFAs will either get traded or walk for nothing in free agency.
Together with Greer, the Panthers have three other forwards making lower than $1 million who’re also on expiring contracts: Cole Schwindt, Tomas Nosek and Luke Kunin. Veteran defenseman Jeff Petry can also be a UFA at the top of this yr.
There are definitely going to be some difficult decisions for general manager Bill Zito and the front office to make between now and March 6. Either way, the predominant goal for the squad shall be climbing back into the playoff picture when NHL play resumes on Feb. 25.