NHL hearing for A.J. Greer after Connor Zary hit could hurt Panthers badly

The NHL's Department of Player Safety confirmed Greer will have a hearing after boarding Connor Zary in Calgary's 4-1 win over Florida on Friday.

The incident came midway through the third period and quickly changed the tone on both benches.

Greer was assessed a major for interference, plus a game misconduct, ending his night early and forcing Florida to juggle its bottom six.

That's where the ripple effect starts. Maurice suddenly had to reshuffle lines on the fly, cutting into an already thin rotation late in the game.

And it showed. Florida finished with 25 shots, chasing the game without much push after the penalty sequence.

This isn't just about one hit. A suspension would take Greer out of the lineup at a time when Florida needs stability in its depth roles.

He's been a regular on the penalty kill, and losing that presence forces Maurice to lean heavier on his top forwards in defensive situations.

That adds mileage. Especially on a tight schedule, that kind of usage creeps into decision-making on back-to-backs.

On the other side, Calgary capitalized on the chaos. They went 2-for-7 on the power play, turning discipline into a clear edge.

Connor Zary stayed down briefly after the hit but remained part of the story as emotions ramped up late.

For Greer, the timing couldn't be worse. This wasn't a borderline call or a minor infraction. The league stepped in immediately.

Maurice now waits. If the suspension comes down before Florida's next puck drop, expect a call-up or a shift in how the fourth line is deployed.

Because in a playoff race, losing a depth winger over a disciplinary play can sting just as much as losing a top-six scorer.