Panthers Weighing Trade Options for UFA Forward AJ Greer

Florida may look to move Greer, a physical bottom-six winger, ahead of the NHL trade deadline.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Florida Panthers, currently outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture, are considering trading pending unrestricted free agent forward AJ Greer before the March 6 NHL trade deadline. Greer, a physical bottom-six winger, has enjoyed a career year with 11 goals and 21 points, but the Panthers may not be able to re-sign him due to salary cap constraints.

Why it matters

The Panthers are in a difficult position after spending heavily in the offseason, and may need to move some pending UFAs like Greer to help get the team back into playoff contention. Greer's increased trade value could make him an attractive target for teams looking to add a physical, two-way forward for their playoff push.

The details

AJ Greer has emerged as a reliable bottom-six forward for the Panthers this season, already setting career-highs with 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games. The 29-year-old is also a physical presence, amassing 145 hits so far. However, with the Panthers tight against the salary cap, they may not be able to re-sign Greer, who is making $850,000 this season. Along with Greer, Florida has three other forwards on expiring contracts making under $1 million, as well as veteran defenseman Jeff Petry, who are all potential trade candidates.

  • The NHL trade deadline is on March 6, 2026.

The players

AJ Greer

A 29-year-old power forward for the Florida Panthers who is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Bill Zito

The general manager of the Florida Panthers who will have to make difficult decisions about pending free agents like Greer ahead of the trade deadline.

Jason Gregor

A hockey analyst who speculated that Greer could be a trade target for teams looking to add a physical, defined role player.

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What they’re saying

“An AJ Greer type player, I just wonder, what type of value he might have for a rival team?”

— Jason Gregor, Hockey Analyst (Daily Faceoff's DFO Rundown)

What’s next

The Panthers will have to decide whether to trade Greer and other pending UFAs before the March 6 trade deadline, or risk losing them for nothing in free agency this summer.

The takeaway

The Panthers' salary cap crunch may force them to trade away some of their depth players like AJ Greer, who has increased his trade value with a career year. This highlights the difficult decisions teams face when trying to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term roster construction.