He cleaned out his locker and said goodbye… then the trade never happened

Trade deadline week can be a nerve-wracking experience for NHL players, but few came closer to moving teams than AJ Greer of the Florida Panthers.

According to reports, Greer believed there was a strong chance he would be dealt before Friday’s trade deadline. In fact, the forward had already cleaned out his locker and said goodbye to teammates, preparing for the possibility that his time in Florida was coming to an end.

Greer did not suit up for the Panthers on Thursday night, with the team citing “roster management” as the reason. Instead, he spent most of Thursday and a large portion of Friday afternoon waiting to see where he might land as trade discussions unfolded around the league.

Ultimately, no deal materialized—and now both Greer and the Panthers appear interested in keeping the relationship going.

Florida signed the 29-year-old forward to a two-year contract ahead of the 2024–25 season with an $850,000 cap hit. Since joining the team, Greer has carved out a reliable depth role, recording 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in 144 games with the club.

With Greer approaching free agency this offseason, the Panthers are reportedly interested in doing what they’ve done with several other key contributors: locking him into a contract extension before he reaches the open market.

For a player who spent deadline day wondering if he’d be packing for a new city, the focus has now shifted to something far different, possibly staying in Florida for the long term.