A.J. Greer

The Panthers waste no time torching Linus Ullmark, with Noah Gregor lighting the lamp just eight seconds in - the fastest start in franchise history. Matthew Tkachuk dishes three assists in a four-point explosion while Carter Verhaeghe and A.J. Greer pile on during a brutal five-goal first period that sends the Swedish netminder to the bench early. Ottawa's wild-card push takes a hit as Florida's top guns remind everyone why Sunrise remains a house of horrors for visiting teams.

The Panthers waste no time flipping the script on Jack Studnicka, reassigning him back to Charlotte Checkers mere hours after pulling him up from the AHL amid their forward crunch. With A.J. Greer still suspended and Evan Rodrigues nursing a broken finger that shelves him for weeks, Florida needed bodies fast for the Islanders matinee, but Studnicka's earlier NHL stint this year yielded zero points in 18 games.

Connor Zary hits the ice for practice with the Flames, sending a clear signal that the young forward is pushing to shake off that brutal boarding hit from A.J. Greer a week ago. The league scrutinized the play hard after Greer got the boot with a major and misconduct, but Zary skated off under his own power and now looks ready to roll despite missing a handful of games. Flames brass knows his return could juice their lineup at a critical juncture, with eyes on whether he's game-ready soon.

A.J. Greer draws fire from league watchers who argue his ban lacks teeth for the infraction that crossed every line in the sin bin. Veterans recall how short slaps erode respect on the ice, fueling grudges that simmer into spring. Department of Player Safety faces heat as teams demand consistency to keep the game's code intact.

Florida Panthers forward A.J. Greer faces a three-game suspension without pay after the Department of Player Safety ruled on his third-period hit from behind on Calgary Flames winger Connor Zary. The play, which drew a hooking minor, five-minute interference major, and game misconduct, left Zary slamming headfirst into the boards and sparked a seven-minute power play that flipped the game.

The NHL world erupts as DoPS lets A.J. Greer skate free, even after Connor McDavid sounds the alarm. Players and pundits question the department's grip on dangerous play. These calls-or-lack-thereof ripple through rivalries, potentially fueling grudges deep into the postseason.