Greig Suspended Two Games After Roughing Incident in Senators-Hurricanes Series

Written By Gina Anton

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety handed down discipline Monday, suspending Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig for two regular-season games, without pay, for a roughing incident involving Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker during Game 4 of their First Round playoff series.

The incident took place at the 9:50 mark of the second period in Ottawa on April 25, during what had already been a tightly contested and increasingly physical matchup between the two clubs. Greig was assessed a penalty on the play, but upon further review, the league determined that supplemental discipline was warranted.

According to the Department of Player Safety, the suspension will be served at the start of next regular season, as Ottawa has already been eliminated from playoff contention. As is standard under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, Greig will forfeit salary during the suspension period.

The play itself unfolded away from the puck, where Greig engaged Walker with a forceful roughing motion that the league deemed excessive. While playoff hockey often features elevated intensity and physicality, the NHL continues to emphasize limits when it comes to player safety, particularly on plays that fall outside the immediate flow of competition.

This marks another moment in a series that saw rising tensions between Ottawa and Carolina, with multiple scrums and post-whistle confrontations throughout the four games. Greig, known for playing on the edge, has built a reputation as an agitator capable of impacting games both physically and emotionally, though this time, that edge crossed into suspendable territory.

For the Hurricanes, the incident did not appear to result in a serious injury to Walker, who returned to play and continued logging minutes on the blue line. Still, the league’s decision reinforces its stance that actions deemed reckless or unnecessarily forceful will face consequences, regardless of injury outcome.

Ottawa now looks ahead to the offseason after an early playoff exit, while Carolina advances with momentum and a relatively healthy roster.