Ridly Greig To Make NHL Debut vs. Islanders Wednesday

Ottawa Senators top prospect Ridly Greig is set to make his NHL debut on Wednesday night vs. the New York Islanders after being called up from Belleville on Monday morning.

His recall was lost in the shuffle after the news surrounding Josh Norris’ season-ending surgery, but it might be a blessing in disguise for Greig. In practice on Tuesday, he lined up between Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux on the second line.

Giroux just so happened to be Greig’s favourite player growing up as well:

"He was one of my favourite players growing up. It's kind of crazy playing on a line with him now."

Ridly Greig on playing alongside Claude Giroux pic.twitter.com/npioilFRIH

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) January 23, 2023

Greig will be the 5th Senators prospect from the 2020 NHL draft to suit up in an NHL game. He was picked with the 28th overall selection, ironically a pick that was acquired from the Islanders in the Jean-Gabriel Pageau trade.

Greig was in the midst of his first full season in Belleville with the Senators’ AHL affiliate, posting 12 goals and 11 assists in 28 games. The Senators seemed to be keen on keeping him in the AHL for the entire season, but the absence of Norris allows Greig to step in and play meaningful offensive minutes.

The 20-year-old even took some reps on the second powerplay unit in practice on Tuesday. While that’s certainly an area Greig will excel in his career, the intangibles he brings to the table are what make him the Senators’ top prospect in the system.

Although he’s slightly undersized at 5’11 and 163 pounds, he plays a hard-nosed style game where he isn’t afraid to get in an opponent’s face. In 183 career games with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL, Greig amassed 271 penalty minutes.

In a preseason game last season against the Winnipeg Jets, Greig had a cross-check that led to a suspension as well as a beautiful goal: Ridly Greig Pulls Off Incredible Backhand Goal

If that game is any indication of what his career will be, then Sens fans should be excited. Greig’s name was tossed around this summer in mock trades, but it was certainly a divisive conversation.

The Lethbridge, AB native joins a forward group that is starved for offence, being held to just 8 goals across their last 5 contests. Especially after Head Coach D.J. Smith spent some extra time speaking with Greig’s line-mates at the whiteboard:

DJ Smith having a long talk with DeBrincat and Giroux at the board. This has been a good 10 mins. #Sens pic.twitter.com/aHptJa1p9g

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) January 23, 2023