Greig Banned: Senators Forward to Miss Start of Next Season After Walker Sucker Punch

Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig has been handed a two-game suspension by the NHL Department of Player Safety following a late-season incident involving Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker. The league's decision ensures Greig will be watching from the sidelines when the 2026-27 campaign officially kicks off.

The Full Story

The incident occurred during the final game of the regular season between the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina Hurricanes. In a moment that local analysts suggest hit below the belt, Greig delivered a sudden punch to the face of Sean Walker during a scrum. The blow, widely characterized as a 'sucker punch,' caught Walker off guard and immediately drew the attention of the league's disciplinary committee.

While the game itself was the last on the schedule for both teams, the Department of Player Safety made it clear that the calendar doesn't excuse such actions. Following a hearing on Monday, the league announced that the 2-game ban would be served at the beginning of the next regular season. This means Ottawa will be without one of its more energetic young forwards for their home opener and following contest.

Critics of the decision have called it a 'light sentence' considering the nature of the punch, while others argue that Greig’s lack of a prior disciplinary record likely played a role in the duration. Regardless of the debate, the message from the NHL is loud and clear: non-hockey plays that risk player safety will not be tolerated, even when the playoff race is already settled.

Central Figures

• Ridly Greig: The 22-year-old Senators forward known for his gritty play, now facing his first significant NHL suspension.
• Sean Walker: The Hurricanes defenseman who was on the receiving end of the punch.
• NHL Department of Player Safety: The governing body that reviewed the footage and issued the ruling.

What This Means

For the Ottawa Senators, this is a frustrating way to enter the off-season. Greig is a piece of the core they are trying to build around, and losing him for the first 120 minutes of the next season disrupts the coaching staff's ability to set a consistent lineup from day one. In a league where every point matters, especially for a team desperate to return to the playoffs, starting the year shorthanded is never ideal.

Ridly probably wants that moment back where he sucker-punched Walker.

For Sean Walker and the Hurricanes, the focus remains on the postseason, but the incident serves as a reminder of the physical toll the game takes. For fans here in Canada, it's another chapter in the 'pesky Sens' narrative—a team that plays on the edge, sometimes crossing it. It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who wanted to see a clean slate for the young roster.

What to Expect

• Opening Night Absence: Greig will officially miss the first two games of the 2026-27 NHL regular season.
• Training Camp Focus: Expect the Senators' coaching staff to address discipline during the pre-season to avoid similar incidents.
• Salary Forfeiture: Greig will lose a portion of his salary based on his daily pay rate, which goes into the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Ridly Greig suspended?
He was suspended for roughing Sean Walker, specifically for a 'sucker punch' delivered during their final regular-season game.

When will Greig serve his suspension?
The suspension applies to the first two regular-season games of the 2026-27 season.

Has Ridly Greig been suspended before?
This is the first major regular-season suspension for the young Senators forward.

How does this affect the Ottawa Senators?
The team will have to find a replacement for Greig in their bottom-six forward group for the first two games of the upcoming season.