Senators’ Ridly Greig Makes His Mark Without a Top-Six Role

Sometimes a player’s value isn't just about how many goals he scores or how high he plays in the lineup. Sometimes it's about being ready when the opportunity comes, doing the little things and giving a coach a reason to trust you. Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig is an interesting example of that kind of player.

Greig has been driving the Senators’ fourth line.

Greig scored Ottawa's only regulation goal in Thursday's 2-1 shootout win over the New York Islanders. He did it while centring the fourth line, which isn't exactly the role most young forwards dream about when they're trying to establish themselves in the NHL. But there's something to be said for making an impact from wherever you're placed.

Greig has two points through six games, with nine shots on goal, six hits and five blocked shots. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, and nobody should pretend they are. Still, they suggest he's contributing in ways that don't always show up on the scoresheet.

He's also already dealt with a little adversity. Greig battled a strain during Tuesday's game against St. Louis but managed to avoid missing Thursday's contest. That's encouraging, though it’s too early to know whether it will become a concern.

Where does Greig fit best into the Senators’ line-up?

The bigger question is where Greig fits in Ottawa's lineup over the long haul. He's moved around a fair bit early in the season, and that can be frustrating for a player trying to find some rhythm. One night you're playing with one group, and the next night you're asked to do something different.

There's a temptation to judge young forwards by whether they're getting top-six minutes. We tend to think that if a player isn't riding shotgun with the team's best scorers, he must be falling behind. Hockey doesn't always work that way.

Every good team needs players who can handle difficult assignments, bring energy and make life uncomfortable for the opposition. A fourth-line role can be valuable if a player embraces it and gives the coach a reason to trust him with more responsibility.

It’s too early to put Greig in a bottom-six box.

That doesn't mean Greig should be written off as a bottom-six forward, either. He's still young enough to develop his game, and his role could change as the season unfolds. For now, Ottawa can take some encouragement from Thursday. Greig found the net when his team needed a goal, and he did it without needing a prominent assignment.

The next step is consistency. If Greig keeps contributing, the coaching staff will have more reasons to find him opportunities. Sometimes a bigger role isn't handed to a player. He earns it, one shift at a time.