The Anaheim Ducks made a bet earlier this offseason that they could land AJ Greer by trading away their captain. That bet just paid off.
Greer and the Ducks agreed to a four-year contract, according to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta. The deal carries an annual cap hit of $4.5 million and includes a 10-team no-trade clause for the full term. It’s a significant commitment for a player who hasn’t yet turned 30, but Anaheim clearly sees him as a core piece going forward.
How We Got Here
The whole thing started when the Ducks traded Radko Gudas to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Greer’s negotiating rights. Gudas had been Anaheim’s captain and a fan favorite, but the front office decided to move him before he could walk as a free agent. By acquiring Greer’s rights, the Ducks got a head start on talking contract terms before most teams could even make an offer.
That kind of maneuvering is pretty common in the NHL these days. Teams use the exclusive window to lock in a player before July 1, when bidding wars can push salaries higher. It worked here: Greer never hit unrestricted free agency.
What Greer Brings
Greer is a physical winger with a touch of scoring touch. He played mostly bottom-six minutes in Boston and New Jersey last season, chipping in 12 goals and 18 assists across 78 games. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he’s the kind of guy who makes life miserable for defensemen along the boards. Anaheim’s young core — guys like Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish — should benefit from having a bruiser who can create space.
The term is aggressive for someone with Greer’s track record, but the Ducks are betting his best years are still ahead. If he settles in as a 40-point guy who plays hard every night, this contract will look reasonable pretty fast.
This is a developing story. More details expected when the team makes an official announcement later this week.
Leave a Comment