A.J. Greer Awaits His NHL Playoff Opportunity

Tuesday after the Boston Marathon called for weather in the low 50’s, clouds, and plenty of wind. Typical for early spring in New England. The night prior, the Boston Bruins skated to a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers earning a one game to none lead in their best of seven playoff series. More than enough reason for some rest and relaxation. But not for 26 year old A.J Greer who just snapped 6 consecutive pucks all of which hit the same spot on net at Warrior Ice Arena the Bruins practice facility.

Despite today being labeled as an “optional” practice Greer is one of the first members to take the ice. For Greer, who did not partake in Boston’s game one victory, getting his reps is the furthest thing from optional. 

A career minor leaguer with limited NHL exposure, Greer signed a deal with Boston ahead of their soon to be historic 2022-23 season and set career highs in goals, assists, penalty minutes, and games played. But ahead of Boston’s first game of the playoffs Greer found himself on the outside looking in. Not due to lack of effort or even production given his role. But with the addition of forwards Garnet Hathaway and Tyler Bertuzzi via trade and Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno returning from injury there wasn’t a lot of room for the former Boston University Terrier.

Yet, less than 24 hours after being a healthy scratch A.J. Greer can be found between drills on the opposite end of the rink working on his snapshot. It’s that type of effort that has caught the attention of his coaching staff, which explains why Greer has enjoyed a career year across the board. As it’s said, the best ability is availability. If Boston’s playoff journey takes them deep Greer’s time will come, and he’ll be ready. 


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

ECHL North Division Finals – Game 3 Recap: Trois-Rivieres Lions vs Norfolk Admirals

On Thursday night, the North Division Finals shifted to Norfolk, Virginia. The two teams split the first two games in TR. Norfolk would make a change in net as they went with Domenic DiVicentiis. The 21-year-old goaltender also started Game 3 of the North Division Semifinals, making 29 saves in a win. In game 2 […]

Read More
Mikko Rantanen skating for the Dallas Stars

Opinion: Stars’ Mikko Rantanen Returns to Form At the Right Time

It was clear that Mikko Rantanen was not exactly about being traded by the Colorado Avalanche, the only NHL club he had ever known. It was in Colorado where he spent close to 11 seasons, won a Stanley Cup in 2022, had 681 points (287 goals and 394 assists), and made lifelong friends. That is […]

Read More

Edmonton Oilers Playoff Thoughts: Round 2, Game 2

It takes four wins to advance, but the Edmonton Oilers historically lose almost every Game 1. In their last 15 rounds, including Tuesday night, they’ve won only four series openers. Even in 2006, they only won one Game 1. If you include that Playoff run, just for laughs, the record is 5 Game 1 wins […]

Read More