Senators Need Ridly Greig to Step Up

Last season, Greig averaged 0.78 offensive-zone puck recoveries per game, around the middle of the pack among Senators forwards. He also averaged 0.35 offensive-zone takeaways per game, toward the lower end among the team’s established forwards.

Those numbers highlight exactly where Greig must improve. Players like Zach Hyman and Andrei Svechnikov demonstrate how valuable relentless puck pursuit, physicality and winning board battles can be. Greig doesn’t need to become either player, but he does need to be better at turning his speed and physicality into recovered pucks, sustained possession and scoring opportunities.

Greig also averaged 0.88 inner-slot shots per game, again around the middle of the pack among Senators forwards. Getting to the dangerous areas is important, but he needs to do it more consistently and convert those opportunities.

For Ottawa to get the most out of Greig, he needs to become a more effective forechecker, board player and net-front presence. Those improvements could help him establish himself as a consistent top-six contributor.

Underlying Numbers Suggest There Is More to Unlock

There is reason to believe Greig can take that step. Last season, he posted a 52% expected goals percentage and a 52% Corsi for percentage, primarily while playing alongside Shane Pinto in a checking-line role against tough competition.

That context matters. Greig was not simply benefiting from offensive deployment against weaker opponents. He was helping Ottawa control play while taking on difficult assignments, suggesting there is already a useful player beneath the relatively modest offensive totals. The challenge is translating those positive underlying numbers into more consistent production. His ability to drive play, combined with his skating and aggressive approach, gives him a foundation to build on.

What makes Greig such an interesting player is the combination of qualities he brings to the ice. He has the speed to keep up with skilled forwards and the offensive ability to make plays, but he also has the mentality to play physically, hunt down pucks and get to the front of the net. He is also defensively responsible, giving coaches the confidence to use him in a checking-line role against tough competition.

Early Signs Are Encouraging

Although it is still too early to draw firm conclusions, Greig’s early scoring chances have come from driving the net with power moves and getting to rebounds. Those are encouraging signs that he is trying to develop that part of his game.

He received an opportunity to play alongside Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, and he used his speed well. Playing with two skilled offensive players gave him a prime opportunity to contribute in a more offensive role.

The line posted a 45.02% expected goals percentage in that game. That is not a bad result, although the Senators struggled against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, and the line combinations were subsequently shuffled.

One game is not enough to determine whether Greig belongs in the top six. Still, the opportunity was worth watching. Playing alongside Stützle and Batherson could give him more chances to produce, but he also needs to show that he can complement their skill by recovering pucks, winning battles and sustaining offensive-zone pressure.

The early signs are encouraging because his chances have come from the areas he needs to attack. Whether he can maintain that approach and turn it into consistent production remains to be seen.

The Next Step Is There for the Taking

Greig has already established himself as a physical, competitive forward who can contribute in a checking-line role. His underlying numbers from last season suggest he can drive play against tough competition. Now, the next challenge is becoming a more consistent offensive threat.

Without Tkachuk, Ottawa needs other forwards to help replace some of the physicality and net-front presence he provided. Greig is a logical candidate because he already plays with an edge and has the speed to be an effective forechecker.

But he needs to be better along the boards, recover more pucks, get to dangerous scoring areas and convert more consistently. If he can turn those improvements into additional offence, he could provide the Senators with a valuable middle-six power-forward presence.

The Senators don’t need Greig to become Tkachuk. They need him to build on the qualities that already make him effective and become more productive. The tools are there. The next step is turning his physicality, speed and ability to drive play into consistent offence.