A.J. Greer vows things will be different this time with Avs

A.J. Greer is going Zen.

The A.J. Greer of last season was a worrier. “How long will I be up here at the NHL level?  “Will the next mistake give me a one-way ticket to the minors? What if I don’t get another chance?”

The A.J. Greer of the present is trying to just stay in that present. Sensei Greer now goes into things with the mantra, “There is no future, there is no past, there is only the present.”

Given another chance to prove he’s an NHL player, not a minor-leaguer, Greer was recalled by the Avalanche on Tuesday, as forwards such as Sven Andrighetto, J.T. Compher and Tyson Jost are all sidelined with injuries.

“Last year was kind of a hit-and-run kind of game for me,” Greer told BSN Denver after practice. “I need to be able to play at both ends of the ice. Last year, I wasn’t really relaxed. I was nervous. I’ve learned more to just focus on the moment, to enjoy the moment. But I need to just play to my abilities and play with confidence.”

Trying to find the best way to play was something of a struggle for Greer, the second round (39th overall) pick of the Avs in the 2015 draft. In 22 games spread over two seasons, Greer failed to score a goal, with four assists. He seemed to be trying to be an agitator/fighter at times, but that didn’t work out too well.

With the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, Greer played well, posting eight points (two goals) in eight games. That, coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday, is why he was recalled. To stay at the NHL level, though, Bednar said he needs to see more consistency from Greer than the past.

“He’s got to be good on the forecheck, separate guys from the puck and play in the offensive zone,” Bednar said. “As a line, you’ve got to take pucks away from the other team, in the right structure. You gotta win those 50-50 battles to get the puck, and then you gotta make some plays. For him and a lot of other guys right now, to be impact players, you’ve got to be able to make plays on both sides of the puck.”

Greer is expected to be in the lineup Thursday night when the Avs play in Calgary at the Saddledome. At practice Wednesday, he skated on a line with Sheldon Dries and Marko Dano.

“After they sent me down, I kept dreaming about coming back here,” Greer told BSN Denver. “I love being here, and for me, it’s eye-opening what hard work can do.”

NOTEBOOK

• After practicing (albeit in a non-contact jersey) on Tuesday, Tyson Jost did not skate at all on Wednesday and will not make the two-game Western Canadian trip. Bednar said the doctors have yet to clear him for contact. Jost is listed as out with a head injury.
• J.T. Compher (head) also did not skate. He will miss his seventh straight game, against the Flames.
• Semyon Varlamov will start for the Avs against the Flames, while Philipp Grubauer will get the start against the Canucks.
• Vladislav Kamenev will start at second-line center against the Flames, skating with Alexander Kerfoot and Colin Wilson.