Calgary Flames forward A.J. Greer to miss eight weeks due to a fractured foot, potentially costing the club a trade chip

The energetic fourth-line forward is slated to be an unrestricted free-agent after this season and is not due back until a couple of weeks after the trade deadline

Calgary Flames left winger A.J. Greer is expected to miss eight weeks due to a fractured foot suffered in Thursday’s clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Greer, 27, is due to be an unrestricted free-agent after the season, and that timeline would have him on the shelf until a couple of weeks after the March 8 trade deadline.

The 6-foot-3, 209-pound forward was claimed off waivers from the Boston Bruins on the eve of the season and has delivered all he Flames were hoping for in his role.

"A.J., he was on the one guy on that fourth line that had some consistency to his play," coach Ryan Huska told the media after the morning skate. "And, there's the physicality that he brought. He was an energy guy in the room for his and he's chipped in offensively for us. We'll miss him, no doubt. It's a tough break ... one of those unfortunate ones. Knowing him, though, he'll push the envelope to try and get back sooner than later."

An energetic fourth-liner capable of adding physical play and killing penalties, Greer has collected a career-best six goals to go with 10 points in 47 games this season.

Greer suffered the injury while he received a tripping penalty midway through the second period against the Blue Jackets. He stuck out his leg as he chased Jake Bean and slammed his left foot into the boards. Greer immediately went down in pain and grabbing his ankle/foot, which was twisted. He was unable to put any weight on it as he left the ice.

Keeping Greer in the fold by re-signing him would give the Flames a valued piece to their roster going forward, even in a rebuild, but it also would have made sense to trade Greer at the deadline, likely for a draft pick, to a contender in need of depth at forward.

Whether the Flames re-sign Greer or can still trade him remains to be seen.