Avalanche prospect A.J. Greer suspended six games by the AHL

There’s playing with an edge and a chip on your shoulder, and then there’s playing like a full-blown “Goon.”

On his best nights, fourth-year Avs pro A.J. Greer is the former. On his worst nights, Greer is the latter. Unfortunately for him and for the Avalanche organization, his best nights are fewer and far between, while his hot-headed antics are becoming commonplace.

As a result of his actions against the Miilwaukee Admirals on Saturday, Greer has been suspended by the AHL for a whopping six games. The 22-year-old forward will not be eligible to return to the Colorado Eagles lineup until the team travels to Texas to take on the Stars on Nov. 9.

Admirals defenseman Jarred Tinordi, the guy Greer left the penalty box to fight, received three games for his actions.

Leaving the penalty box to fight a player — after already being in the box for fighting another player — is decidedly not a good look. This was inexcusable by Greer, who is notorious around the organization for this hot-headed antics and his temper issues.

In total, Greer amassed two fighting majors and three game misconducts, resulting in 40 total minutes of penalties. It was just two minutes shy of the Eagles franchise record for penalty minutes in one game.

This comes on the heels of his offseason off-ice drama that took place in New York with fellow NHL prospect Sonny Milano. The two are facing alleged assault charges stemming from a physical fight the two in question had with a friend at a downtown New York apartment complex over a bar tab.

Despite the impending charges, the Avs still graciously re-signed Greer to a one-year deal. It’s probably safe to assume that his behavior so far this season will not earn him another contract within the organization.

I spoke with Eagles head coach at practice yesterday about Greer’s actions and he told me he was going to be suspended before the news broke this morning. When I asked why he wasn’t skating on his normal line in practice yesterday, Cronin told me this:

“Well he’s suspended, right? I have no idea how many games but he’s going to get something. You can’t leave a penalty box. So we’re not going to put him on a line when he’s not going to be playing for the next couple of games. We got to get the other guys to get some chemistry going.”

As it turns out, it was more than a couple of games. You’d have to think if you’re Joe Sakic and you’re seeing this kind of news come from Greer’s camp, this is getting a little old. He may have — quite literally — fought his way out of the lineup.

Does he get traded at the deadline, dumped in free agency, or will the Avs inexplicably re-sign him again — What say you?