HIGHLIGHTS
- A.J. Greer suspended 3 games for boarding Connor Zary from behind
- Zary left Friday’s game with upper-body injury after headfirst collision into boards
- See video of the hit and reaction to the suspension below
The NHL Department of Player Safety suspended Florida Panthers forward A.J. Greer for three games Sunday.
Greer was disciplined for a dangerous hit from behind on Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary during Friday’s game at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The play happened at 11:14 of the third period with Calgary leading 2-1.
Zary was pursuing a loose puck in the Florida zone when Greer got his stick tangled up with him, drawing a delayed hooking penalty. As both players neared the corner boards, Greer shoved Zary at shoulder height from behind, sending him sliding headfirst into the boards.
Check out the hit that led to Greer’s suspension:
Zary stayed down on the ice and was attended to by Calgary’s training staff. He skated off under his own power but didn’t return to the game. The Flames listed him with an upper-body injury.
Greer was assessed a two-minute minor for hooking, a five-minute major for interference, and a 10-minute game misconduct. Calgary capitalized on the extended power play, scoring twice to seal a 4-1 victory.
Phone Hearing Limits Suspension
The NHL scheduled a phone hearing for Sunday, which, by league rules, caps any potential suspension at five games or fewer. Greer received three games following the hearing.
The decision to use a phone hearing instead of an in-person hearing drew massive criticism. Many felt the hit’s dangerous nature warranted a longer suspension.
Flames head coach Ryan Huska called it a “terrible hit” and “awful,” adding, “It just shouldn’t happen when someone’s in that position.”
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler described it as “one of the most malicious hits in a long time,” noting Greer appeared to make “a conscious decision in real time.”
AJ Greer Suspension History
This isn’t Greer’s first run-in with the Department of Player Safety. The 28-year-old was suspended one game in March 2023 while with the Boston Bruins for cross-checking Montreal’s Mike Hoffman.
Greer was also fined $2,213.54 in October 2025 for roughing Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel during a preseason game. That was the maximum allowable fine under the CBA.
Greer’s prior disciplinary record likely contributed to the three-game suspension, although he isn’t considered a “repeat offender” under the rulebook.
For context, three interference-related suspensions were handed out in the 2024-25 season. Tampa Bay’s Emil Lilleberg received two games, Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras got three games, and Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel received one playoff game.
Greer’s suspension is in line with those precedents. Whether three games is enough for a hit from behind that sent a player headfirst into the boards is another question entirely.
Zary has been ruled out for Calgary’s next game against Tampa Bay. The Flames haven’t provided a timeline for his return.
