Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Florida Panthers are officially entering seller mode, sitting forward A.J. Greer ahead of tonight's matchup while Paul Maurice manages a roster in transition.
This is the reality for the defending champs.
With the trade deadline closing in, Bill Zito is clearly open for business. Greer has been a fixture in the bottom six, but a healthy scratch at this time of year usually means one thing.
A deal is likely imminent. It is a sad reality, albeit one that Panthers fans must contend with.
Greer is enjoying a career year, posting 11 goals and 22 points through 61 games. For a player typically valued for his grit, that offensive output is a massive bonus for any buyer.
The 29-year-old winger brings exactly what contenders crave in March. He plays a heavy game, evidenced by his 159 hits this season.
He isn't just a physical presence anymore.
His shooting percentage sits at a crisp 14.1%, a significant jump from his career average. That efficiency, combined with a dirt-cheap $850,000 cap hit, makes him the perfect rental.
Florida is currently ten points out of a playoff spot. The post-Olympic slide has been brutal, and the math simply doesn't work in their favor anymore.
Contenders circling for Florida's physical depth
Greer has been efficient in his role, but the Panthers need to recoup assets. Since Friday, the internal chatter has shifted from a late-season push to maximizing value on pending UFAs.
The locker room knows the score.
Teams looking for a fourth-line spark have been calling. Greer's ability to chip in during the transition game while maintaining a +8 rating makes him an easy plug-and-play option.
He's a low-risk, high-reward add.
Watching a player of his utility sit out is a clear signal to the rest of the league. The asking price is likely a mid-round pick, and someone will pay it before the clock runs out.
The Show is a business.
For Greer, the next chapter starts soon. For the Panthers, it's about building for next year after a legendary run.
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