It was obvious last year that the Buffalo Sabres missed physicality. One issue was that a left-winger who added more physicality than many others was missing, as Jordan Greenway played in only 34 games last year.
He was recently activated and has already added a physical piece that may have been missing when he was not skating or causing hits last year.
Greenway has 17 hits, averaging more than one a game thus far this year.
He has added only three points, and it may not look like a lot on the stat sheet, but he has added a brand of hockey that may be needed in the third period and later in the year as the Sabres get farther into the season.
While on the ice a year ago, despite only playing in a limited number of games, he had over 100 hits. That will be needed if the Sabres wish to get into the postseason for the first time in almost two decades.
In a 9-3 victory, he generated an assist over the Chicago Blackhawks. This was due to the way he plays the game and attacking on the ice as opposed to letting the puck and play come to him.
It will also be important as more seasoned skaters, such as Alex Tuch or Tage Thompson, find the open lanes generated by Greenway just being on the ice. Despite being currently on the fourth line, if Lindy Ruff wanted to use him in more game-deciding situations, he could see more time with the first or second line.
Rob Ray, who now provides color commentary for the Sabres, was a physical enforcer when he played for the Sabres in the 90s and early part of the century. He holds the record for most penalty minutes for the organization.
He may now see something of himself in Greenway. It is worth noting that in Ray's prime the Sabres were a perennial playoff contender and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999.
It is a big leap to say this Sabres team has that ability, but if they can find each piece, no matter how small, it could lead to what the team and fanbase have been searching for.
On November 1, Greenway provided a spooky treat the day after Halloween. He had an assist but, more importantly, had four hits in a shoot-out victory.
That is the kind of performance that had a few stats but stronger moments, which could lead the Sabres to something even greater.