Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
In a stunning bit of news, the Department of Player Safety actually did something. In handing AJ Greer a three-game suspension for his actions against Calgary’s Connor Zary, they actually dished out some punishment – but also made Toronto’s draft chances a lot worse too.
Greer’s suspension is well-earned considering that Greer took an intentional shot at the numbers, pushing Zary well before he hit the boards; then crashing it and hitting his neck awkwardly:
He lay motionless for a bit before leaving the game, and it’s yet another case of ‘will they or won’t they’ when it comes to a suspension.
A.J. Greer’s suspension makes Florida yet another obstacle for the Maple Leafs
Well, in a shock – punishment was handed out. Greer received a three-game ban for his actions which is certainly a step up from what could have easily just been a fine thanks to George Parros.
For the Panthers, they lose one of their most high-energy and aggressive forwards, and with them free-falling down the standings it’s surely only to come with more losses going forward.
Greer, 29, has 24 points in 68 games while adding 181 hits, 23 blocks, and 109 PIM in 11:56 TOI.
This is bad news for Toronto as Florida has the same amount of points, and while it’s nowhere near the Auston Matthews-level of loss, it’s still a significant piece of the bottom-six; a strength for the Panthers and that means that top-five pick takes a massive hit.
Why the battle for the bottom is becoming the Maple Leafs’ worst nightmare
Great, even when the Panthers are far and away out of the playoffs they still manage to somehow annoy the Maple Leafs.
A few more losses in a row would push the Maple Leafs out of that coveted 1-5 spot, and with how the team has played recently given their hot and cold nature – a couple untimely wins could be Toronto’s downfall.
Florida also has two games in hand, so they can also afford to lose two more and gain an even further advantage heading into the draft. If Florida ends up in the bottom-five and pushes Toronto’s pick to Boston; while it’s not great for the Panthers – that becomes hell for the Maple Leafs rebuilding plans.
But alas, the Panthers want to keep throwing wrench after wrench into the Maple Leafs’ plans. Whether it’s the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or fighting to be the worst, Florida always seems to have Toronto’s number.
This time, that number could have earth-shattering consequences.
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Florida’s A.J. Greer suspension threatens the Maple Leafs’ top-5 pick protection
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