In a word, everything. Ridly Greig is going to do what it takes to win for the Ottawa Senators. This is a trait identified way back when he came on the scene as a prospect back in junior and still holds today. He is great for a team’s lineup, something that Coach D.J. Smith and the Senators organization hold in high regard. This could be Greig’s chance to stick as an NHLer, but let’s have you decide for yourself.
One of the Ottawa Senators Top Forward Prospects Ridly Greig
Looking back through Greig’s career thus far, he has been successful. For starters, the 21-year-old was a part of the monumental 2020 NHL Entry draft, for the Ottawa Senators. He was the third Sen selected in the first round and 28th overall. Leading up to the draft, Greig had a solid season playing centre for the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. He recorded 26 goals and 34 assists totaling 60 points in 56 games. In contrast, the following season he managed only 28 games split between Brandon and the AHL Belleville Senators. However, he was able to bounce back admirably scoring 63 points in just 39 games in 2021-22 for Brandon. Internationally, he has also had a couple of successful appearances for Team Canada. He was a member of the U18 team at the Hlinka-Gretzky tourney that won silver. Furthermore, he chipped in six points in five games for the gold medal winners at the 2022 World Junior Championships.
The Apple Doesn’t Fall From the Hockey Family Tree
The Senators have built a certain culture around their current group of players. It is one that Greig fits and adheres to without flaw. It is an understanding of what it takes to be an NHLer and a consummate professional. The daily grind, riding the ups and downs, and not letting it get you down. In addition, doing the little things right, how to carry yourself, eating right, and putting in the time, at and away from the rink. Greig is the son of former NHLer Mark Greig. Greig had a nice career for himself, he would go on to score 20 goals, 12 times as a professional hockey player. This culture that Greig fits well with, is from this group having several dads that played professionally. Erik Brannstrom, Mark Kastelic, Brady Tkachuk, Jakob Chychrun, Joshua Norris, and Jake Sanderson all also had dads who laced them up in the pros. That would make for quite the father, son shinny games.
On the ice, and in the corners, Ridly Greig has shown that he has what it takes to get it done for the Ottawa Senators. He stands at 6’1” and as was required has been doing his best to bulk up, as hockey-reference currently has him listed at 183 lbs. Conversely, even at that standing, he still has some work to do. Greig can skate hard and play at high energy, winning short races to the puck thanks to his acceleration. Therefore, that is why it is important for him to bulk up to be able to win the puck battles he will inherently find himself engaged in at the NHL level as a middle-six forward. Overall, he combines his smarts, quickness, and puck skills to be effective in almost any role his coach sees fit.
A Look at Greig’s 2022-23 Statistically
Last season, he played so well with the AHL’s Belleville Senators that he earned his call-up for his NHL debut. With Belleville, he played 39 games, tallying 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points. At the time of his call-up, he was Belleville’s best player, and most deserving of his chance. He did little to disappoint. In 20 games in the nation’s capital, he scored twice, and added seven assists for nine points. Also, he was able to take over 100 faceoffs, invaluable experience heading into the off-season. This allowed Greig to understand the strength of fellow NHL opponents, and what to work on. He had a great 5.8 CF% Rel in his time with the big club. Primarily playing down the middle, between Claude Giroux and Alex DeBrincat must have been fun. A sternum injury late in 2022-23 was the only thing to slow him down really.
The Senators Prospect Competition Amongst Forwards
Coming into training camp for the upcoming 2023-24, competition is friendly but make no mistake it is fierce. Based on his last year’s successes, thoughts are that he will win out the battle with fellow prospects and start in the NHL. Especially if he has sufficiently improved his strength in the off-season there is no reason not to reward him as such. Even with plenty of strong competitors for the jobs: including Roby Jarventie, Egor Sokolov, Zack Ostapchuk, Angus Crookshank, and Cole Reinhardt. These are all players that the organization wants to get a look at in Ottawa this season. Good luck to all the players in having a strong camp, and pushing each other for those final spots on the Ottawa Senators roster.
Main Photo: James Guillory – USA TODAY Sports
