Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast that Florida Panthers winger A.J. Greer is expected to test the free-agent market this offseason. After a career year in an expanded role, Greer could be positioned for a significant raise as NHL salary cap growth creates more spending room across the league.
Greer, 29, finished the 2025-26 season with 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points in 78 games. His value goes beyond the scoresheet. He brings physical play, net-front scoring ability and the kind of energy that helped the Panthers win the Stanley Cup in the 2024-25 season. Those traits could make him a sought-after depth addition for teams looking to get harder to play against.
Three clubs stand out as possible landing spots: the New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Devils could view Greer as an answer to one of their biggest issues. New Jersey struggled to generate enough offense when Jack Hughes was injured last season, and the team missed the playoffs again. While the Devils did get useful depth scoring from players such as Connor Brown, Cody Glass and Arseny Gritsyuk, it was not enough to stabilize the lineup. Greer’s combination of physicality and secondary scoring could make New Jersey’s bottom six more effective and more difficult for opponents to handle.
The Oilers also make sense as a potential fit. Greer was a familiar opponent during the Stanley Cup Final and left an impression with his relentless style of play. Edmonton has been looking for the kind of winger who can forecheck hard, win puck battles and provide depth offense in a third- or fourth-line role. That profile matches what Greer has already shown he can do in Florida. The Oilers also remain interested in adding more sandpaper and energy to their forward group, especially in the lower part of the lineup.
Pittsburgh is another team that could be in the mix. With Sidney Crosby committed to more seasons and Evgeni Malkin re-signed, the Penguins are delaying a full rebuild and still looking to improve around their veteran core. General manager Kyle Dubas has found value in similar depth players before, and Greer could fit that mold. He would not be a top-six option, but he could bring the physical presence and secondary scoring Pittsburgh lacked at times, including in its rivalry battles against the Flyers. For a team trying to stay competitive while improving its bottom six, Greer offers a practical and affordable target.
If Greer reaches free agency on July 1, he should attract attention from teams seeking toughness, depth scoring and playoff-style hockey in their forward group.
