A.J. Greer’s wallet is about to take a hit after a wild preseason game on Thursday night between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Everyone knows these teams don’t get along, and they made that crystal clear on the ice. Greer was just slapped with a fine of $2,213.54 for his violent behavior, but many people are questioning: is it enough of a fine for the player who just joined Florida last July on a two-year, $1.7 million contract? Although he was fined the maximum allowable amount as per the CBA, many fans believe that it barely compensates what really took place on the ice.

It all went down around 7:50 in the first period. Greer started by cross-checking Brandon Hagel, then swung his stick and seemed to high-stick him in the face. And if that wasn’t enough, he threw a punch right to Hagel’s head. Chaos broke out instantly. Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli rushed in to defend Hagel, while Florida Panthers defenseman Darren Raddysh tackled Greer, sparking one of several scrums that kept the game wild.

By the end, both teams had racked up 186 penalty minutes. Hagel left the game and did not return, and no one has confirmed the extent of his injury. Fans understandably worry because of his concussion history from last season’s playoffs.

After all that, Greer got a cross-checking minor, a roughing minor, and a 10-minute misconduct. The NHL didn’t hand down a suspension, just that $2,213.54 fine, which goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. Fans weren’t having it, though. Social media blew up, with people asking how a punch and a high-stick to the head could get off with such a light punishment.

For many, it felt like the league let him off way too easily, and now there’s a bigger conversation about whether the NHL’s current rules are really enough to stop this kind of dangerous play.

Florida Panthers forward Greer’s fine sparks outrage

One fan didn’t hold back, tweeting, “$2,000? Oh yeah, that’ll stop the behavior… good joke.” It’s hard to argue, officials fined Greer $2,213.54, the maximum allowed under the CBA, yet many consider it a drop in the bucket compared to what he did on the ice. But it’s not like Brandon Hagel has always been squeaky clean himself. Last April, he served a one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Panthers Florida forward Aleksander Barkov.

Later in the playoffs, his postseason ended early after Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad delivered a direct hit to Hagel’s head. The hit wasn’t called in real time, but Ekblad later received a two-game suspension. To make the story even more dramatic, Ekblad had just returned from a 20-game suspension. He had served the suspension for violating the NHL’s performance-enhancing drug program.

Another fan didn’t hold back, saying, “Should be suspended.” One more added, “He probably spent that much on dinner and drinks after the game.” A.J. Greer isn’t exactly new to league discipline. The NHL suspended Greer once on March 23, 2023, while he played for the Boston Bruins. The league handed him a one-game suspension for cross-checking Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Hoffman in the face.

During that game, officials assessed him a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the incident. His history of trouble extends to the AHL as well. On October 19, 2019, the league suspended Greer for six games after he left the penalty box to fight Milwaukee Admirals defenseman Jarred Tinordi. The altercation earned him a total of 40 minutes in penalty time.

One fan didn’t hold back, writing, “Another decision in favor of the Florida Panthers.” Another shot back, “Of course, no suspensions for Florida, Bettman’s little darlings.” Clearly, some fans think the unpopular NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has a soft spot for the Panthers. And maybe they’re not entirely wrong. Back in May 2025, Bettman sang the team’s praises: “You see it in terms of the team’s performance, you see it in terms of how this building is full now. It’s something we always believed was possible for South Florida.” With comments like that, it’s no wonder fans are raising eyebrows.

As for Greer, the 28-year-old knows how to bring the heat. He’s got a reputation for playing tough and isn’t afraid to mix it up. In the 2024-25 season, he notched six goals and 11 assists for 17 points, piling up 130 penalty minutes over 81 games. In the playoffs, he added three points and 22 penalty minutes, helping the Panthers lift the Stanley Cup. Love him or hate him, Greer’s no stranger to leaving his mark on and off the ice, making his presence felt every time he suits up for the Florida Panthers.