Summary
Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig is facing a suspension from the NHL after an incident in his team’s final playoff game. The league’s Department of Player Safety announced that Greig will have a hearing for a hit on Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker. Since the Senators have already been eliminated from the playoffs, any suspension will force Greig to miss the beginning of the 2026-27 regular season. This news comes at a difficult time for the team, which was just swept out of the postseason.
Main Impact
The primary impact of this hearing is that the Ottawa Senators will likely be without one of their most physical players when the next season begins. The NHL takes "sucker punches" very seriously because they involve hitting a player who is not prepared to defend himself. By scheduling a hearing, the league is sending a message that this type of behavior will not be allowed, even in the heat of a playoff series. For Greig, this marks a disappointing end to his year and puts a cloud over his start to next season.
Key Details
What Happened
The incident took place during Game 4 of the playoff series between the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina Hurricanes. During the second period, a small fight or "scrum" broke out after the whistle had blown. While many players were pushing and shoving, Carolina’s Sean Walker was busy dealing with Ottawa winger Warren Foegele. Greig, who did not have an opponent to square off with at that moment, moved toward Walker. He then landed a punch directly on Walker’s chin while Walker had his head down and was not looking. The referees on the ice did not see the punch when it happened, so no penalty was given during the game. However, the league reviewed the video footage afterward and decided that Greig’s actions required a formal hearing.
Important Numbers and Facts
Ridly Greig is 23 years old and has just finished his third full season in the NHL. He has been very consistent in his scoring, hitting exactly 13 goals in each of his three full seasons. This year, he set a personal record with 35 total points. The hearing scheduled by the NHL is not an "in-person" hearing. This is an important detail because it means the league cannot suspend him for more than five games. Most experts expect the suspension to be between two and four games, depending on how the league views his history and the severity of the punch.
Background and Context
The Ottawa Senators had a very hard time in this year’s playoffs. They played against the Carolina Hurricanes and lost four games in a row, which is called a "sweep." This means their season is now over. Greig was one of the few players on the team who managed to contribute on offense during the series. He helped set up a goal in Game 2, which was only his second career playoff point. Greig is known for playing a "gritty" style of hockey. This means he plays with a lot of energy, hits other players often, and tries to get under the skin of his opponents. While this style can help a team win, it also sometimes leads to dangerous plays that the league has to punish.
Public or Industry Reaction
The reaction to the hit has been mixed but mostly critical of Greig’s choice. Hockey fans and analysts often talk about the "code" of the game, which suggests that players should only fight someone who is ready and willing. Hitting a player who is already busy with someone else is seen as a "cheap shot." On the other side, some fans argue that playoff hockey is naturally more intense and that these things happen in the heat of the moment. Sean Walker, the player who was hit, did not seem to be injured by the punch. In fact, later in the same period, Walker took his own revenge by hitting Greig into the boards, which resulted in a minor penalty for Walker. This shows how much tension there was between the two teams as the series came to an end.
What This Means Going Forward
Looking ahead, the Senators will have to plan for a season opener without Greig in the lineup. The team will need to find another player to fill his spot on the wing and provide the physical presence that Greig usually brings. For Greig himself, this is a learning moment. As a young player with a long career ahead of him, he will need to find a way to stay physical without crossing the line into illegal hits. The NHL is constantly trying to reduce head injuries, so they will likely continue to be strict with any hits that target a player's face or head. The final decision on the number of games he will miss should be announced within the next few days.
Final Take
Ridly Greig is a valuable part of the Ottawa Senators' future, but this incident shows the risks of his aggressive playing style. While his consistency in scoring is a bright spot for the team, losing him for the start of next year is a self-inflicted wound. The Senators need to focus on discipline if they want to move past the first round of the playoffs in the future. For now, Greig will have to wait and see how long he will be watching from the sidelines when the new season begins in the fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ridly Greig being suspended?
He is facing a suspension for "roughing" after he delivered a sucker punch to the chin of Carolina defenseman Sean Walker during a playoff game.
When will the suspension happen?
Since the Ottawa Senators have been eliminated from the playoffs, the suspension will be served at the start of the 2026-27 NHL regular season.
How many games will he miss?
Because the hearing is not in-person, the maximum suspension he can receive is five games. The exact number will be decided by the NHL Department of Player Safety soon.
