Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 15: A.J. Greer #10 of the Boston Bruins is announced before the game against the Arizona Coyotes at TD Garden on October 15, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

It took until the final round of waiver-wire cuts from training camp, but the Bruins finally suffered a loss from the organization, with forward A.J. Greer claimed off waivers by the Flames.

Greer was one of four waiver claims around the league on Monday, but was the lone Bruin to be claimed, meaning that Patrick Brown, who was waived along with Greer on Sunday, has cleared waivers and will report to Providence.


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  • Given the nod for four preseason games this camp, the 26-year-old Greer recorded one goal on four shots, and was credited with five hits, four blocked shots, and one takeaway. NaturalStatTrick dot com also had Greer down for six individual scoring chances, which was tied for the seventh-most on the team.

    Signed by the team as a potential low-risk, high-reward fine, Greer was also entering the final year of a two-year contract that comes with a $762,500 cap hit.

  • Oct 18, 2022; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins left wing A.J. Greer (10) celebrates his goal socred in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers/USA TODAY Sports

    Oct 18, 2022; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins left wing A.J. Greer (10) celebrates his goal socred in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. (Marc DesRosiers/USA TODAY Sports)

  • With Greer’s cap hit actually being below the league’s minimum salary for the 2023-24 season ($775,000), he was always a potential loss via the waiver wire, but it’s a move that the Bruins committed themselves to following a preseason that saw both Matt Poitras and Johnny Beecher earn roles with the NHL club.

    Poitras is currently slated to center Boston’s third line with Trent Frederic and Morgan Geekie on the wings, while Beecher will center a fourth line with Milan Lucic at left wing and Jakub Lauko at right wing.

    Lucic was the roadblock for Greer, too, as the Bruins have locked Lucic into that fourth-line left wing spot, while defenseman Mason Lohrei still skating with the NHL club has put the team in a bit of a cap crunch ahead of the 5 p.m. roster deadline for Opening Night.

    In essence, there was no way for the Bruins to avoid placing Greer on waivers given the questions they still have between now and Wednesday’s opener against the Blackhawks.

    The Bruins still have Danton Heinen with the club on a pro tryout agreement, by the way, and Heinen practiced with the club for Monday’s session at TD Garden and was involved in ‘Media Day’ scrums.

  • BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 15: A.J. Greer #10 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period at TD Garden on October 15, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Coyotes 6-3. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 15: A.J. Greer #10 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period at TD Garden on October 15, 2022. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

  • As for Greer, his fresh start in Calgary comes after what was a definite breakout season with the Bruins.

    In action for 61 games a year ago in what was his first real year as a full-time NHLer, Greer established himself as a capable fourth-line talent, with five goals and 12 points, along with 101 hits, for Boston.

    Greer was also more than willing to drop the gloves — no matter the size or reputation of the opponent — and finished last season with a team-leading seven fights. 

    Overall, Greer, a second-round pick of the Avalanche back in 2015, has totaled seven goals, 20 points, 170 minutes in penalties, and 175 hits in 108 NHL games between Boston, New Jersey, and Colorado.

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