Jordan Greenway shows why the Buffalo Sabres traded for him.
It is no secret that the Buffalo Sabres lack toughness. It has been an issue for a long time, and while they do have a few players who enjoy playing physically, it is not their strong point. One of such guys is Jordan Greenway, a forward. Last year, during the trade deadline, general manager Kevyn Adams acquired Jordan from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick.
Head coach Don Granato coached Greenway when they were both in the United States National Team Development Program, so there was some familiarity straight away. Granato wanted Adams to get Jordan from the Wild, and he was pleased that Greenway is now with the Sabres.
After a mediocre start to the season, Greenway has recently played some excellent hockey. Jordan has five points from his last five games, including three goals and two assists. Throughout his young career, he was never considered a goal scorer. He is recognized as a physical presence and a difficult opponent to play against.
As I noted before in the article, Buffalo lacks physicality. However, in recent games, Greenway has begun to score points. In 43 games this season, he has nine goals and ten assists for 19 points. While he’s been producing recently, it’s great to see a player that plays a physical style of hockey.
To begin Week 19 of the 2023-2024 season, the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Anaheim Ducks for a Presidents Day matinee. While their playoff hopes are dwindling, the Sabres used this week to try to climb back in the race. Anaheim was heading into Buffalo after losing 9-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and they wanted to wash that bad taste away.
Jordan Greenway and the Sabres were aiming to build on their win over the Minnesota Wild, and he got the scoring started. It didn’t last long, though, as Adam Henrique knotted the score less than a minute later. On the power play in the second period, Tage Thompson reestablished Buffalo’s lead by beating Ducks goaltender John Gibson with a shot that barely found the net.
A few minutes later, Anaheim tied the game again thanks to Frank Vatrano. The Ducks regained the lead again thanks to Vatrano, but Zach Benson tied the game when he tipped a shot from Henri Jokiharju. Those pesky Ducks did not go away, as Troy Terry had Anaheim.
Gibson deserves credit for the Ducks’ win because he played well. Buffalo will be on the road for the next two games, starting in Montreal against the Canadiens.
