The NHL Department of Player Safety is Fundamentally Broken, and A.J. Greer’s Hit Will Prove It

The NHL and its Department of Player Safety (DoPS) have dominated the headlines lately, and for all the wrong reasons. Following what the hockey world widely condemned as a laughable non-punishment for Radko Gudas, George Parros and his entire department have faced blistering criticism from owners, players, and agents alike. Yet, instead of looking inward, Parros and the DoPS have arrogantly drawn a line in the sand. Rather than properly evaluating their flawed process, they’ve decided to lecture everyone else on why they are right.

At this week’s NHL General Manager meetings, Parros inexplicably doubled down, defending not just their opaque decision-making process, but the highly controversial rulings themselves. The sheer audacity of it drew public criticism from Connor McDavid, a superstar who notoriously avoids speaking out on league politics. Now, less than a week later, the DoPS is thrust back into the unforgiving spotlight following a terrifyingly dangerous hit by Florida Panthers forward A.J. Greer.

The Incident 

The hit occurred midway through the third period when Greer hooked Calgary Flames center Connor Zary. As Zary stumbled to find his footing, Greer deliberately placed his hands on Zary’s lower back and shoved him dangerously, head-first into the boards. Zary went down immediately, clutching the back of his head and neck in a scene that silences arenas.

Zary left the ice and did not return. Greer was slapped with a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct, but that shouldn't be the end of it. This egregious play is the textbook definition of what every kid lacing up skates is taught never to do. Watch the replay: you can see Greer calculate the hit before delivering the final shove. There is absolutely no universe where this play doesn’t warrant a massive, statement-making NHL suspension. 

However, recent history gives hockey fans reason to worry. The NHL has repeatedly faced accusations of institutional bias toward the Florida Panthers, with critics pointing straight to the glaring conflict of interest involving NHL executive Colin Campbell and his son, who works in the Panthers' front office. As the clock ticks past 1:20 PM on Saturday afternoon, the DoPS has been silent on whether Greer will face supplementary discipline. 

Could this delay simply be a result of it being a Saturday? Or is the NHL actively choosing, once again, to abandon player protection?

After being publicly accused by the Carolina Hurricanes' brass at this week’s meetings of turning a blind eye to head injuries, you’d think Commissioner Gary Bettman would be desperate to change the narrative. The league is currently sitting on a golden opportunity to definitively prove they actually care about player safety. 

The only question left is: do they have the appetite to do it?