Latest news with #A.J.Greer
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins a game-time decision for Oilers with undisclosed injury
The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are tied at 1-1 in the Stanley Cup Final as the series shifts to Florida for Game 3. Sunrise, Fla. — Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains a question mark for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final. The versatile forward missed Sunday's practice with an undisclosed injury. Nugent-Hopkins then came on late for the team's optional morning skate Monday at Amerant Bank Arena. Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch said Nugent-Hopkins will take warm-ups and be a game-time decision with the title series rematch against the Florida Panthers tied 1-1. 'He's been a top player for us for a long time,' Oilers defenceman Brett Kulak said. 'He's been amazing through our whole playoff run.' Florida winger A.J. Greer, meanwhile, will return from injury in place of Jesper Boqvist after missing the first two games of the final. The longest-serving player on Edmonton's roster, Nugent-Hopkins had 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points across 78 games in 2024-25. The Burnaby, B.C., product selected No. 1 overall at the 2011 NHL draft, who plays left wing on a top line featuring Connor McDavid, has 748 points (271 goals, 477 assists) in 959 regular-season games in his career. He's added 79 points (22 goals, 57 assists) in 92 playoff contests. A member of both the top power-play and penalty-killing units, Nugent-Hopkins offers the Oilers flexibility in being able to move from wing to centre when the club chooses to load up one line with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Knoblauch acknowledged that would be more of a challenge if the 32-year-old is unavailable. 'We don't have a lot of centres on our roster,' said the coach. 'It does change what we can do. But we'll address it throughout the game.' Veteran winger Jeff Skinner looks set to draw into the lineup if Nugent-Hopkins, who has five goals and 13 assists in 18 games in these playoffs, can't suit up. The 33-year-old Skinner scored the first post-season goal of his career in Game 5 of the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars as part of Edmonton's series-clinching victory. Skinner had 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in 72 regular-season games with the Oilers in 2024-25. Green will return to Florida's effective fourth line with Tomas Nosek and Jonah Gadjovich. The 28-year-old from Joliette, Que., has two goals and an assist in 12 playoff games this spring. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
Associated Press
a day ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
A.J. Greer is making his Stanley Cup Final debut for the Florida Panthers in Game 3
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A.J. Greer is back in for the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night after missing the first two in the series against the Edmonton Oilers because of injury. Coach Paul Maurice confirmed Greer would return on Florida's fourth line. Jesper Boqvist comes out of the lineup to make room for Greer, who will be making his first career appearance in the final. 'It's definitely a dream come true, but I'm not really trying to focus on that,' Greer said after the team's morning skate. 'It's another game for me and I'm just trying to enjoy it, but I'm not trying to associate anything bigger than just my next shift, really.' Greer, 28, gutted through injury for part of this playoff run before exiting in the Eastern Conference final against Carolina when it was clear he wasn't healthy enough to stay in. Maurice lauded Greer for his lack of selfishness and an abundance of self-awareness to understand when the pain threshold was reached and do what's best for the team. 'Good on him for recognizing that,' Maurice said. 'We were fortunate that we were able to heal A.J. to a place that he's really confident in what he's doing. ... He's been such a positive part of what we do.' Greer almost wasn't here at all. A little over four years ago, he was languishing in the minors and almost giving up on his NHL dream. 'I was pretty much 24 hours away from just calling it, going to Europe and trying to just get a paycheck, trying to squeeze out every dollar that I can out of this sport and then live my life,' Greer said. 'Fortunately, things kind of bounced my way.' Greer was essentially a throw-in as part of a trade to the New Jersey Devils that got the New York Islanders Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac, who helped them reach the East final. Greer — who was a second-round pick of Colorado in 2015 and played 37 games for the Avalanche from 2016-18 — developed some confidence with the American Hockey League's Utica Comets and cracked the Devils' roster a few times. Agent Philippe Lecavalier challenged Greer over whether he wanted to be an AHL player or adapt his style to be a role player in the NHL. 'You could say I wanted to try to prove him wrong,' Greer said. 'I kind of just went day by day, got better mentally, physically and matured with my game. I understood if I wanted to ever play in the NHL again, the way I have to play and the things I have to do — and I got a chance, so I'm very grateful for that. It all led up to here.' At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Greer has been a physical force for Florida as the Panthers try to repeat as champions. He is one of the newcomers, along with their leading scorer in the final, Nate Schmidt, and teammates are happy to have Greer back. 'He's a pain to play against,' Evan Rodrigues said. 'He's a guy that can change the momentum of a game. He's heavy on the forecheck. For the most part, I don't think you want to get hit by him. He's a really good presence for us. And he chips in offensively. He lays the body. Just overall a pain the neck to play against.' That came with time and trial and error as Greer learned how to have an impact with limited ice time. This spring brought his first taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and he has made the most of his nearly eight minutes a game. 'My game's grown, especially this year,' Greer said. 'My confidence has grown, and I'm ready to take on the biggest challenge that I've really faced in my career.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Greer returns for Florida Panthers in Game 3 as Boqvist sits: ‘He's been such a positive part of what we do'
A.J. Greer #10 of the Florida Panthers (Credit: Getty Image) The Florida Panthers will see the return of forward A.J. Greer in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, adding a layer of depth and physical presence as they look to build on their lead against the Edmonton Oilers. Greer last played in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, logging just over four minutes on the ice before being sidelined. He had also missed Game 4 of that series, dealing with what the team described only as an undisclosed injury. Jesper Boqvist sits as lineup adjusts for Game 3 To make room for Greer, Florida will scratch forward Jesper Boqvist for Game 3. Boqvist, who has filled in capably during Greer's absence, has five points in 13 playoff games this season. His performance has been solid, particularly on the defensive side, but the coaching staff appears to prefer Greer's physical presence for the upcoming matchup. The Panthers have relied on lineup flexibility throughout their postseason run, Boqvist's removal is not necessarily a knock on his play. But rather a strategic decision in line with Florida's game plan against a fast, offensive-minded Oilers team, with the series shifting to Edmonton after two games in Sunrise. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Device Made My Power Bill Drop Overnight elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo Also the coaching staff likely wants more edge in the bottom six forwards. A.J. Greer #10 of the Florida Panthers (Credit: Getty Image) Stanley Cup Final sees key lineup shifts on both sides With the series intensifying, lineup decisions are becoming increasingly significant, the Panthers hold a 2–0 series lead, and their decision to reintegrate Greer could play a pivotal role in preserving momentum. Edmonton, meanwhile, is expected to tweak its approach after being outscored and outworked in the first two games. Read more: Vera Larsson, wife of Adam Larsson's sunset outing with NHL wives redefine hockey's off-ice season with beauty, bonding, and bold celebration Greer's return adds not just physicality but also playoff experience to Florida's roster. His time away has given him a chance to recover and prepare for the high stakes of a Stanley Cup Final road game, the decision to bring him back now suggests he is fully healthy and ready to contribute.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Nosek handles the guilt of his costly Game 1 penalty with a little help from his Panthers teammates
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Tomas Nosek had been dealing with the guilt of his puck-over-the-glass penalty ever since the Florida Panthers lost Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on the ensuing power-play goal by Leon Draisaitl. He's not sure how long it took to get over it. 'It was tough,' Nosek said Friday after an optional morning skate. 'You don't want to be the one guy who costs us the game. But obviously everybody can make a mistake. It happened in a bad time in overtime, and it cost us the game. But it's in the past, and now we're looking forward to just keep doing my job.' Nosek gets to keep doing his job. Coach Paul Maurice said he was not making any lineup changes for Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers. That means A.J. Greer remains out with an undisclosed injury, though Maurice said the fourth-liner is on track for Game 3 on Monday in Sunrise. The penalty 18 minutes into overtime came when Edmonton's Jake Walman was pressuring Nosek in Florida's defensive zone. Power plays are rare in OT in the playoffs with officials careful about not wanting to have too big an influence on the outcome, but sending the puck over the glass is an automatic call. 'Everybody's making mistakes,' Nosek said. 'I think it's a part of the game. It's a sport, and you just focus on the next game and preparing yourself for it like every other game.' Nosek, one of several newcomers who weren't around last year when the Panthers won the Cup, is in his second final after helping Vegas get there in 2018. He said teammates have been good about encouraging and supporting him since the costly penalty. 'They've been really helpful,' Nosek said. 'The guys came to me and said, 'Don't worry about it.' It's good.' Linemate Jonah Gadjovich, who reported feeling great after missing some time in Game 1 because of injury, said Nosek shouldn't feel bad about the mistake. 'It happens,' Gadjovich said. 'Tough bounce, but he does so many good things for us, no one's mad at him, no one's anything. It's just stuff like that happens in a game.' Coy McDavid Connor McDavid made a pass befitting his status as the best hockey player on the planet to set up the Oilers' tying goal in Game 1, with Mattias Ekholm scoring it. Asked Friday whether the pass from behind the net was intended for Ekholm or winger Evander Kane, he was unwilling to share that information. 'I won't say,' McDavid responded. 'All that matters is it ended up where it needed to be, and we scored.' McDavid also assisted on Draisaitl's overtime goal, his playoff-leading 28th point in 17 games during this run. Coaching carousel Florida coach Paul Maurice said earlier this week he roots for three teams when he's watching games around the NHL: Vancouver for Jim Rutherford, Winnipeg because he was there for so long and loves the organization and the market, and Dallas for close friend Peter DeBoer. The Stars are probably off that list now after firing DeBoer on Friday following a third consecutive loss in the Western Conference final and comments made about the decision to pull franchise goaltender Jake Oettinger in the decisive Game 5 loss. 'He'll be all right,' Maurice said. 'He's a good coach. I think you get elite teams, you've got to push them real hard to get to where they get to, and then at some point you need a summer off, pick your spot. He's going to be OK.' DeBoer's dismissal opens a job a day after Boston hired Marco Sturm to fill its vacancy, the last one left in the league. On Wednesday, Pittsburgh went with a little bit of a surprise hiring longtime assistant Dan Muse. Ekholm, who played in Nashville when Muse was on staff there, is interested to see how it goes for a 'super serious guy' with a new school approach. 'I think he's got all the right tools to be a successful coach,' Ekholm said. 'It's different to be an assistant than a head coach, so he's got some things to prove but good for him to get an opportunity.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Oilers' Zach Hyman says his right wrist was dislocated late last round, knocking him out of the playoffs
Hyman memorably said after the Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Win it for Hyman has quickly becoming a rallying cry for Edmonton. Advertisement 'Missing him is big; he's a huge piece of this team,' veteran Adam Henrique said." His physicality, net-front presence, in the locker room — all those sorts of things. Just a great person, so we're certainly going to miss him on the ice but he'll be there and we'll certainly fight for him." The Oilers' are without Zach Hyman for the Stanley Cup Final against the Panthers after dislocating his right wrist in the Western Conference final. JASON FRANSON/Associated Press Oilers players video-called Hyman after beating the Stars without him in Advertisement 'It caught me off guard,' Hyman said. 'I was crying. It was really emotional. You just feel so much a part of the team and for them to do that in that moment meant a lot.' Hyman is expected to be around the team throughout the final, flying to Florida and providing whatever insight and moral support he can without lacing up his skates. He called it 'acting like I'm playing but obviously not.' 'Some things in life you can't control,' Hyman said, 'and this is one of them.' A.J. Greer out for Panthers The Panthers are mostly healthy, but they ruled out A.J. Greer for Game 1 of the Cup final with an undisclosed injury. Jesper Boqvist takes his place in the lineup. 'It's important that, fortunately for us, it's not his first time in the playoffs, so he hasn't been sitting for a long time and he's had some pretty good success when he's come in,' coach Paul Maurice said of Greer. 'And he fits. He's spent time with all of those players. There's nothing new for him, so he can come in and just play.' Connor Brown back for Oilers Edmonton is getting a key player back with Connor Brown expected to be back after missing two games because of injury. Coach Kris Knoblauch called the strong two-way winger a game-time decision, while Brown declared himself good to go and all signs pointed to nothing standing in the way of a return. 'He's been playing great all playoffs,' linemate Trent Frederic said. 'He brings a lot of energy, brings a lot of swagger, a lot of jam, so we're excited to get him back.' Advertisement Jeff Skinner , who played more than 1,000 regular-season NHL games in his career before making his Stanley Cup Playoff debut in the series opener in the first round and then got scratched until replacing Hyman against Dallas, appears to be out to make room for Brown.
