Ridly Greig embodies a nostalgic style of hockey for the Senators.
Ridly Greig understood early on that his impact as a player couldn’t rely solely on natural talent.
“My dad always said, ‘If you can’t get the puck, find a way to make a difference in the game, whatever way possible,’” Greig recalled.
This advice from Mark Greig, a former NHL player and current Philadelphia Flyers scout, laid the groundwork for the Ottawa Senators’ 2020 first-round selection to develop into what many describe as a gritty, ‘heart and soul’ type of player.
Greig, standing at six feet tall and weighing 183 pounds, took pride in winning puck battles and delivering hits against larger opponents. He wasn’t afraid to block shots, even as a standout in amateur hockey.
His fearlessness has been evident in NHL games this season. Whether it was his three crucial blocks in a preseason match against the Montreal Canadiens or his impactful hit on Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev during a regular-season game on February 13, Greig’s competitive spirit often steals the spotlight.
However, Greig’s reputation isn’t solely built on his grit. He possesses significant offensive potential as well, demonstrating a goal-scoring ability with his effective wrist shot. He also excels in forechecking, using his tenacity and skilled stickwork to win one-on-one battles.
“There aren’t many players like him anymore in 2023,” remarked Senators assistant GM Ryan Bowness. “The game has changed. Stylistically, he’s a throwback.”
Greig has heard this sentiment for years.
“I have some skill, and then the way I compete — it’s that kind of not giving a damn mentality,” Greig explained. “I’ve never really been scared of a guy.”
Greig seamlessly transitioned to professional hockey this past season, playing his first full year with both the NHL and AHL teams. Senators GM Pierre Dorion even labeled Greig as ‘untouchable’ during discussions with reporters before the trade deadline, highlighting his unique qualities among Ottawa’s promising young roster. If all goes as planned, Greig could become a cornerstone for a Senators team with aspirations of multiple playoff runs.
“He steps up in big games,” praised Belleville Senators coach David Bell. “Whether it’s scoring shorthanded goals, power-play goals, or winning key faceoffs — he thrives in high-pressure moments.”
In 39 AHL games this season, Greig recorded 15 goals and 29 points, ranking eighth in points per game (0.74) among AHL skaters under 21 who played a minimum of 20 games.
Despite Belleville’s lower standing in the AHL, they performed significantly better with Greig on the ice (18-6-4-1 record, .525 win percentage) compared to when he was absent (13-15-2-3, .469 percentage).
“He will agitate the other team. He’ll piss them off, but he’ll back it up, too and go score a goal,” said Bell about Ridly Greig.
In his 20 NHL appearances, Greig also proved effective. Mostly playing alongside Claude Giroux and Alex DeBrincat, he scored two goals and added nine points, six of which came during 5-on-5 play. He ranked second among Ottawa skaters with at least 200 minutes in scoring chances (9.93) and takeaways (2.15) per 60 minutes.
His 59-percent expected goals-for at 5-on-5 reflects his strong two-way play, despite playing primarily with DeBrincat and Giroux, who had a 61-percent expected goals-for percentage in separate ice times, while Giroux had a 49-percent expected goals-for percentage and DeBrincat had a 55-percent expected goals-for percentage, according to م
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