Greig Sits Out Two Games After NHL Ruling
The Ottawa Senators got some unwelcome news this week as forward Ridly Greig has been suspended two games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for a roughing incident involving Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Sean Walker.
The ruling was confirmed by the league and reported by Sportsnet, leaving the Sens without one of their scrappier forwards for a pair of contests. Greig, 23, has become a fan favourite in Ottawa for his physical, high-energy style of play — but that same edge has now cost him and the team some valuable lineup availability.
What Happened
The incident in question involved Greig going after Walker in a moment the league deemed worthy of supplemental discipline. While specifics of the play drew the usual debate among hockey analysts and fans online, the NHL's Player Safety department reviewed the hit and determined it crossed the line, resulting in the two-game ban.
Greig will not receive any playoff pay for the games he misses, per standard NHL suspension rules.
What It Means for the Sens
For a Senators squad that has been battling hard in recent weeks, losing Greig — even for just two games — is a minor blow to the forward group's depth and physicality. He's the kind of player who brings energy on the ice and can shift momentum in Ottawa's favour, so his absence will be felt in the locker room as much as on the scoresheet.
Coach Travis Green and the rest of the organization will need to adjust line combinations during his suspension and rely on other forwards to step into that gritty, forecheck-heavy role that Greig typically fills.
Fan Reaction in Ottawa
Reaction among the Ottawa fanbase was mixed, as it tends to be with suspension calls. Some felt the league was too harsh on what they viewed as a heat-of-the-moment play, while others acknowledged that the NHL has been consistent in cracking down on these types of incidents throughout the season.
Regardless of where fans land on the ruling, there's no appealing the decision — Greig will serve his time and be back in the lineup soon enough.
The Bigger Picture
Greig's suspension is a reminder of the fine line players walk between being physically imposing and crossing into disciplinary territory. For the Senators, developing young players like Greig means also navigating those lessons — and coming out the other side more disciplined without losing that competitive fire that makes him so effective.
Ottawa fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds in his absence, and how Greig himself bounces back when he returns to the ice.
Source: Sportsnet via Google News
