Ex-Bruins Forward Reacts To Brad Marchand’s Panthers Arrival

A.J. Greer’s time with the Bruins came to an abrupt close in the 2022-23 campaign.

Boston had placed the physical forward on waivers for assignment, and the Calgary Flames plucked Greer from the Black and Gold before the 24-hour deadline passed.

Greer, now a member of the Panthers, will welcome former teammate Brad Marchand to Sunrise, after the Bruins captain was traded to Florida at Friday’s NHL trade deadline.

“Everyone is excited — he is an amazing person, and a great player who brings out the best in everyone every day,” Greer said, per NHL’s independent correspondent George Richards. “He is a competitor, and whether it is in practice or in games, he always seems to elevate everyone around him.

“He’s going to compliment this group really well. He is one of my really good friends, and I just can’t wait to hug him and joke around with him. Such an awesome guy to have day-in and day-out.”

The Panthers are certainly familiar with Marchand and how he plays the game, especially given that Florida ended Boston’s playoff run in each of the last two seasons. Some of the players even got better acquainted with the pesky forward during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“Brad Marchand comes in here, and there’s history with the Florida Panthers,” head coach Paul Maurice said, per Richards. “But there’s a great history because he, Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart played on a team together that had great success.

“There’s an instant connection in our room when he comes in. I think those connections are vital when you start the playoffs.”

Florida, however, will have to wait for Marchand to actually take the ice with he team. Marchand is sidelined for at least three to four weeks with an upper-body injury that will most likely keep him out of the lineup for the remainder of the regular season.