A Stanley Cup champion is hitting free agency and the Maple Leafs should be interested

A.J. Greer is set to hit the open market according to Elliotte Friedman and Toronto needs to present an offer to the man who can help keep Auston Matthews safe.

A.J. Greer has a Stanley Cup, over 400 hits over the past two seasons and a mean streak that creates fear in opponents. Elliotte Friedman says he is going to test free agency, and with the Toronto Maple Leafs looking for a player with that aggressive mindset to protect Auston Matthews; they need to be knocking on his door.

Greer is someone who often doesn't get as much attention as he should considering he is a fourth line forward but he's truly impactful. He was a crucial part in Florida's Stanley Cup run in 2024-25 with his tenacious and aggressive style of play and setting the tone with his physicality.

Greer is a Stanley Cup winning forward whose whole identity focuses on being as tough as nails

But he's also a free agent this summer and according to Elliotte Friedman, he's going to be taking his talents to the open market to see if he can swing a brand new deal:

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Greer, 29, had a career year in 2025-26 with 32 points including 17 goals; which crushes his previous career high of six goals. In fact, he nearly eclipsed his previous eight-season goal total just this year alone (19 goals).

But he also added 203 hits, 113 PIM, and a plus-14 rating. He's not a scoring option despite what this season may lead on, and Toronto would not be getting him to do anything but add some serious toughness to the lineup.

However, that's the point. Auston Matthews needs someone who is willing to have his back and Greer will happily do so. Unflinching and fearless, Greer won't take any nonsense from opponents and if his teammates are a target, then he's going to target you right back.

There is a caveat to this though, as Greer's mean streak does come wth disciplinary issues. He's been suspended twice before, and is known to bend the rules a bit to get the advantage whether it be a high hit or an errant stick.

Toronto needed a forward with Greer's edge for years and bringing him in would cost virtually nothing

That's why Toronto needs to bring him in. Yes, there are issues about his discipline but he's someone who not only can protect the stars including an 18-year old Gavin McKenna, and you're going to need someone who will run through a wall for your stars; Greer knows his job and does it swimmingly.

He only made $850,000 this past season and has never made over a million dollars per season. Toronto needs that toughness badly, so why not splurge a tad?

Offer Greer a three-year deal worth $4.95-million. That's an AAV of $1.65-million which is basically double his salary now, keeps him within Toronto's win-now window, and is not a contract that is going to handicap them down the line.

For John Chayka that's peanuts compared to what he might pay for a player like Darren Raddysh or Alex Tuch, but Greer's impact and physicality make him worthy of a signing, even at a bit of an overpayment.

The Maple Leafs have an issue with protection and Greer solves that issue the second he steps on the ice.

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