As the Sabres gear up for the start of the season, there are still many questions left to be answered. One, will be where left winger Jordan Greenway will fit in during the entirety of the season? Last year, Greenway became a physical presence for the Sabres.
He used his size for inital contact during the year. He had his highest average ice time at 17:21. He led all forwards in hits at 141 and was second in forwards on blocks with 65.
With Lindy Ruff now at the helm, does Greenway have a place on the new roster? With an emphasis on speed, he may be relegated to the second or third lines during the season. The Sabres at this point seem to lack offensive weapons and it could increase his ice time during the year.
Greenway had 10 goals and 18 assists during last season
What was evident though during the year, was Greenway's plus minus ice time. He was first in forwards with an ice time of plus-11. His physicality also was high when both teams were even at even strength. He had 15 even strength assists on the year.
If Ruff, can't find a place a decent place for Greenway in the lineup he could be a decent trade option if the Sabres falter at the beginning of the year. He is slated for free agency at the end of the 2025 and currently only has a cap hit at 3.41%.
In November, the Sabres won a game 3-2 over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sabres went 3-3 penalty kills during the game. Greenway was on the ice for 3:24 during that period. Said Sabres coach at the time, Dan Granato, "He has such a base knowledge and reads plays from a defensive standpoint."
If new coach Ruff is able to find a place for Greenway, he could provide physical prowess on a roster that made need some as the season is set get underway.