Panthers Risk Losing Their Best Depth Scorer If Cap Math Doesn’t Work Out

The Florida Panthers have a problem that’s pretty common in the NHL these days. They’re trying to get better after missing the playoffs, but one of their own guys might walk because they just don’t have the cap room.

Forward A.J. Greer is set to hit the open market, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. And after the season he just had, you can understand why. Greer scored 17 goals this year, which is a career high for him. That’s not bad for a guy making $850,000.

Greer got more ice time because the Panthers dealt with a bunch of injuries up front. That opportunity turned into production, and now he’s going to see what else is out there. LeBrun reported that Greer is still open to staying in Florida if the team can find the cap space. But that’s a big if.

The Panthers are in a weird spot. They missed the playoffs entirely after going to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023. That hurt. General manager Bill Zito has been making calls around the league trying to shake things up. But every dollar counts right now, and Greer’s next deal is going to be more than $850,000.

What makes this tougher is what Greer brings beyond the goals. He’s one of those guys who plays with an edge. He’s physical, he hits, he gets under people’s skin. That style fits the identity Florida has built over the last few years. Losing him would mean losing some of the sandpaper that makes the Panthers hard to play against.

LeBrun mentioned the Montreal Canadiens as a possible landing spot. Greer is from Joliette, Quebec, so there’s a hometown connection there. But LeBrun also noted that Montreal has a crowded roster already and would need to move some pieces around to make it work. So it’s not a done deal by any stretch.

Other teams around the league will probably kick the tires too. A 17-goal scorer who plays with that kind of physicality and doesn’t turn 28 until December — that’s a useful piece for a lot of clubs. Especially in the bottom six.

For now, the Panthers are going to try to keep him. But the cap is the cap. And if they can’t figure it out, Greer will have plenty of options when free agency opens up.