The Florida Panthers are facing a harsh reality check as the NHL hits pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. After hoisting the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons, Florida now finds itself at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, eight points out of a playoff spot with just 25 games left on the schedule. That’s not where anyone expected this team to be at this point in the season - and it’s forcing the front office to take a hard look at the roster ahead of the March 6 trade deadline.
One name that’s starting to surface in trade conversations: AJ Greer. The 29-year-old power forward is in the middle of a career year and headed for unrestricted free agency this summer. That combination - strong production on a team that might not make the playoffs, plus an expiring, affordable contract - makes him an intriguing trade chip for contenders looking to add bite to their bottom six.
Greer has been one of the few bright spots in what’s otherwise been a frustrating season in Sunrise. With injuries piling up across the lineup, he’s stepped into a bigger role and delivered.
Through 57 games, Greer has already set career highs with 11 goals and 21 points - a significant jump from last season, when he posted 17 points over 81 games. He also chipped in two goals and an assist during Florida’s Cup run last spring, showing he can contribute in the postseason when it matters most.
But Greer’s value goes beyond the box score. He brings a physical presence that teams covet come playoff time.
Last season, he racked up 222 hits, and he’s already at 145 this year. He’s the kind of player who can wear down opponents over a seven-game series - a role player who knows exactly what his job is and doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice.
And that’s why rival teams are circling. Greer is the type of depth piece that can swing a playoff series - a guy who brings energy, toughness, and just enough offensive upside to make a difference. He’s also on a cap-friendly $850,000 deal, which makes him even more attractive to cap-strapped contenders.
The issue for Florida is that they’re cap-strapped themselves. After going all-in last summer with big-ticket deals - including ones for Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad - the Panthers are right up against the ceiling.
If they want to keep Greer beyond this season, it’s going to cost them more than they’re currently paying. And with other pending UFAs on the roster, tough decisions are looming.
Greer isn’t the only Panther on an expiring deal and making under $1 million. Cole Schwindt, Tomas Nosek, and Luke Kunin are all in the same boat.
Veteran defenseman Jeff Petry is also set to hit the open market this summer. That’s a lot of roster turnover potentially on the horizon, and general manager Bill Zito has to weigh whether it’s better to get something now or risk losing players for nothing in July.
With the trade deadline less than a month away, the Panthers’ front office has some serious thinking to do. Do they hold onto key contributors in the hope of a late-season push? Or do they start making moves to recoup assets and reset for next year?
One thing’s clear: when NHL play resumes on February 25, Florida needs to come out swinging if they want to salvage their season. The margin for error is gone.
The climb back into the playoff picture is steep - but not impossible. And how they navigate the next few weeks could define not just this season, but the future of a team that, not long ago, looked like a budding dynasty.