Travis Yost: Is Greening Fixable?

Can he change his game? He maybe needs to develop a real mean streak and become a Lulic type guy. Everyone says he's a freak in terms of strength well maybe he dummies a few guys and turns into a OK but dirty player... No more nice guy poop...

Travis Yost: Is Greening Fixable?
- Travis Yost

What are the factors that contribute to his poor d-zone play? Does he bail out too early? suck on the boards? chase the puck?

Nashville fans absolutely panned Hendricks when he came to Edmonton and even though he still is a poor possession player, he became a spirited and dedicated contributor for us in the later going. Let's face it: most 4th liners are poor, but maybe Greening can re-dedicate himself to that kind of role.

What are the factors that contribute to his poor d-zone play? Does he bail out too early? suck on the boards? chase the puck?

Nashville fans absolutely panned Hendricks when he came to Edmonton and even though he still is a poor possession player, he became a spirited and dedicated contributor for us in the later going. Let's face it: most 4th liners are poor, but maybe Greening can re-dedicate himself to that kind of role.
- Morris

Greenings a good player for us, like most big men we want him to be mean and ferocious but Greening really isnt that type of player and never will be. He played that way in his first NHL season and was great, since hes settled in hes toned down the big man stuff and tries to play a smart, physiscal game.

He's money in the playoffs and im still a big fan. I think if they just let him be himself, a 3rd line winger who can hit and add some skill (like Brian Boyle) he'll be better. Greening has been moved everywhere in the lineup and I think if they just let him settle with Zach Smith in the 3rd line and let that be our shutdown physical line instead of asking Greening to be Spezzas winger then a fighter then a 4th line grinder he's got the brains and skill to do it

He'll never be a Prust or Shaw, let him be himslef (30 point big
man with size who hurts people from time to time) and we're golden

Colin greening can be a serviceable player if in the right role of a third line winger. He's arguably the fastest sen in a straight line although his agility his questionable. I'd say play him and Smith with condra on the third line

I can't believe people are actually saying he's 'serviceable', and useful.

Greening is totally useless.

I have seen enough of him to know this. Sure, he can play on the 4th line, but on a budget team like the Sens, do we want a 4th liner making over 2.5M/yr?

It would be one thing if he was a veteran leader or something, but he's not even that.

Get rid of him, please. I am tried of watching him be unable to stick handle through the neutral zone and turn pucks over.

If we get rid of him, my screaming at the TV will likely decline by at least 50%. Because of that, my wife probably wants him gone even more than I do.

I really see Colin greening being shipped out this summer .. Ship one bad contract out and take one another in .. He's useless and needs a fresh start .. And take Erik condra too

I can't believe people are actually saying he's 'serviceable', and useful.

Greening is totally useless.

I have seen enough of him to know this. Sure, he can play on the 4th line, but on a budget team like the Sens, do we want a 4th liner making over 2.5M/yr?

It would be one thing if he was a veteran leader or something, but he's not even that.

Get rid of him, please. I am tried of watching him be unable to stick handle through the neutral zone and turn pucks over.

If we get rid of him, my screaming at the TV will likely decline by at least 50%. Because of that, my wife probably wants him gone even more than I do.
- Charliebox

Agreed. Greening had a good year with Spezza and a good series against Montreal. The guy is awful and there is a lot cheaper versions of the same thing out there.

hes overpaid and terrible...i have no time for that guy...i yelled at him constantly during this past season...if they can unload him for whatever..do it..that 2.5mil is much better spent elsewhere...Derek Grant can do what greening does better and cheaper...

hes overpaid and terrible...i have no time for that guy...i yelled at him constantly during this past season...if they can unload him for whatever..do it..that 2.5mil is much better spent elsewhere...Derek Grant can do what greening does better and cheaper...
- TheMike12

I totally agree that someone like Derek grant can come in and do what greening does

I don't know if anyone is really "fixable". Ottawa, given their budget contraints, is a team that has to do it better and smarter than the other guys if they want to compete. So the recent re-signing of two two replacement level (or below) players in Greening and Phillips is a tough way to start.

They could have looked at Greening's WOWY numbers or even just eye-balled his game away from playmakers like Spezza to see that he didn't deserve that contract. When I watch the 4 remaining teams I see truly productive 3rd & 4th line players -- Andrew Shaw, Dominic Moore, Dwight King, Ben Smith, Danny Briere -- who are making meaningful contributions to their team's wins because they can exploit mis-matches against their competition. Greening doesn't do that. In my eyes he's a servicable 4th line winger at best. Someone who won't hurt you, will put in an honest effort, will throw a hit here and there, and will play the role of the traditional "energy line" guy. But the problem is they're expecting him to be equivalent to the guys on the list above and I don't see play that even remotely reflects that. He's a big guy who can skate fast and at a glance he might put you in mind of Chris Kreider. That is until you see him handle the puck or dissapear into a relatively insignificant shift on the ice. That's when they should have put away the check-book and looked elsewhere for bottom six options. Including within their own system.

I don't think the Sens can afford any buyouts at this point so I suppose Greening on a line with Smith and Condra as our FOURTH line (not our third) would be fine. If, at 28 years of age, Greening discovers some other level of play then that's just a bonus. But you can't remotely count on that and should more likely count on a decline in his already mediocre production rather than an uptick.

I don't know what they'll get back in the inevitable Spezza trade. I hope it's a legit top-4 defenseman. But maybe they can squeeze in a 3rd line forward as well -- Cody Eakin, Patrick Berglund, etc.... Then Greening can be part of a better-than-average 4th line instead of hoping he's a good fit on a 3rd line getting 12 - 15 minutes a night. He is NOT that guy.......

Try and trade him. If you can't, play him, but don't be afraid to bench him for several games if he sucks. Alternatively, ask him to give money back every time he has a crappy game.

The way I see it is Bryan Murray needs to ship spezza out at the draft that way when Free agency opens we know who and what to target . We could be missing a whole line , what do you guys think about signing a guy like Peter mueller ? Maybe ryan Callahan ? Steve ott? Steve downie?

The way I see it is Bryan Murray needs to ship spezza out at the draft that way when Free agency opens we know who and what to target . We could be missing a whole line , what do you guys think about signing a guy like Peter mueller ? Maybe ryan Callahan ? Steve ott? Steve downie?
- Gosensgo89

Not in a million years ,Ott is getting up there so no .Yes to the first 2

Since you're asking us what MacLean should do with him, this assumes he's not traded before the season starts, which would be the ideal scenario.

Unfortunately Greening just kinda sucks. Big, strong, fast... but not very good at hockey. Not a good backchecker, can't carry-in very well, and not a great shooter. Neil on the other side, is pretty much the same. There are two options. Play that line as little as possible, or separate Greening and Neil. Whoever you move from that line, replace him with someone who can either shoot or drive possession.

You want your 3rd/4th lines to start primarily in the D-zone, create a turnover and get it up ice. Create time and space for a scoring chance or a line change. Maybe Greening/Smith/Condra would work better defensively, or Greening/Zibanejad/Stone offensively? Who the hell knows. We have no idea what this team is going to look like in October.

Not in a million years ,Ott is getting up there so no .Yes to the first 2

- top shelf 15

I'd like Callahan at 5 years at $5.5M but I don't think he'd sign that. He'd be a great 2nd liner and will help mould Lazar.

But, my main goal for the summer if I was Murray would be to rid myself of Greening, Neil and Phillips (this is still angering me). Replace all these goofs with younger and better players..

I am going to do a cap geek gm thing (waiting for someone to say NHL14)... But, I will trade Spezza and Greening for Josi straight up and Methot, Prince, 2015 2nd and Neil. Phillips bought out!!!!

I'd like Callahan at 5 years at $5.5M but I don't think he'd sign that. He'd be a great 2nd liner and will help mould Lazar.

But, my main goal for the summer if I was Murray would be to rid myself of Greening, Neil and Phillips (this is still angering me). Replace all these goofs with younger and better players..

I am going to do a cap geek gm thing (waiting for someone to say NHL14)... But, I will trade Spezza and Greening for Josi straight up and Methot, Prince, 2015 2nd and Neil. Phillips bought out!!!!
- riceroni

http://capgeek.com/armchair-gm/roster/18322

I could not buy out Phillips so I just demoted him...

Thoughts?

I'd like Callahan at 5 years at $5.5M but I don't think he'd sign that. He'd be a great 2nd liner and will help mould Lazar.

But, my main goal for the summer if I was Murray would be to rid myself of Greening, Neil and Phillips (this is still angering me). Replace all these goofs with younger and better players..

I am going to do a cap geek gm thing (waiting for someone to say NHL14)... But, I will trade Spezza and Greening for Josi straight up and Methot, Prince, 2015 2nd and Neil. Phillips bought out!!!!
- riceroni

Ryan challahan isn't the most offence player but just seems like a good fit here in Ottawa with the young guys and his leadership. Bryan Murray should forget that Chris Stewart trade and maybe try and steal zack kassian from Vancouver

Ryan challahan isn't the most offence player but just seems like a good fit here in Ottawa with the young guys and his leadership. Bryan Murray should forget that Chris Stewart trade and maybe try and steal zack kassian from Vancouver
- Gosensgo89

They love him there,he would not be cheap .

Ryan challahan isn't the most offence player but just seems like a good fit here in Ottawa with the young guys and his leadership. Bryan Murray should forget that Chris Stewart trade and maybe try and steal zack kassian from Vancouver
- Gosensgo89

I agree that I'd forget about Stewart especially if it's going to cost us a prospect that we want to have on our team. We need to get away from guys that can't play and not get more. The idea of shedding Greening and Neil is not to acquire more guys that play against their own team.

Callahan would be a PERFECT player for the Sens to replace guys like Neil and Greening. He will come in more expensive that's for sure but he would be well worth it.

Travis, I know a few years ago you were high on Callahan but recently may have soured a bit on him. Can you give us the stats breakdown of Callahan? Also, what was his ratio of penalties drawn vs penalties taken? My 14-15 Sens would hopefully be a team that after 82 games has received 30 more PP opportunities than given.

Can he change his game? He maybe needs to develop a real mean streak and become a Lulic type guy. Everyone says he's a freak in terms of strength well maybe he dummies a few guys and turns into a OK but dirty player... No more nice guy poop...
- riceroni

This dude is a lover not a fighter...that's not the Ottawa Senators. Here's what a player should think Lazar: “I’ll do a good recap after the season’s over. Last year was pretty hectic with the whole draft process,” he said. “This year, I want to get bigger and faster. And I’m going to go to Ottawa and try to earn a spot. I’m very happy with the improvements I’ve made this year. It’s really benefited myself.

I agree that I'd forget about Stewart especially if it's going to cost us a prospect that we want to have on our team. We need to get away from guys that can't play and not get more. The idea of shedding Greening and Neil is not to acquire more guys that play against their own team.

Callahan would be a PERFECT player for the Sens to replace guys like Neil and Greening. He will come in more expensive that's for sure but he would be well worth it.

Travis, I know a few years ago you were high on Callahan but recently may have soured a bit on him. Can you give us the stats breakdown of Callahan? Also, what was his ratio of penalties drawn vs penalties taken? My 14-15 Sens would hopefully be a team that after 82 games has received 30 more PP opportunities than given.
- riceroni

Iwould luv cally ,but he will get paid this offseason.Add to this that he is an american and probably want to play in his country.And we already have two strikes against us on him signing here

This dude is a lover not a fighter...that's not the Ottawa Senators. Here's what a player should think Lazar: “I’ll do a good recap after the season’s over. Last year was pretty hectic with the whole draft process,” he said. “This year, I want to get bigger and faster. And I’m going to go to Ottawa and try to earn a spot. I’m very happy with the improvements I’ve made this year. It’s really benefited myself.
- SENSpatriot

But Greening doesn't have the skills to play a non physical game..

But Greening doesn't have the skills to play a non physical game..
- riceroni

Exactly, I would include him in a trade

I'm in the minority but I believe he will have a much better season next year. The guy is built for playoff hockey. Just got to get there first.

I would like to see a third line of Greening-Zbad-Lazar get some traction.