Is Now The Right Time For The Ottawa Senators To Make Colin Greening A Healthy Scratch?
Senators winger Colin Greening hasn’t had the greatest start to his season, and with 0 points in his last 8 games (and only 4 all season), is definitely struggling. But with the inexperience in the Ottawa lineup for the time being, is the timing right to send a message and make him a healthy scratch?
Feb 9, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators Pleft wing Colin Greening (14) follows the puck rebound following a shot on Winnipeg Jets goalie Al Montoya (35) in the second period at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
According to the media in attendance, when the lines were set up at practice, Greening was the extra forward, behind Binghamton callups Derek Grant and David Dziurzynski.
While making an experienced player a healthy scratch in such a time of need might send a message to the player being scratched, would it really help the team.
There are a couple of reasons why he could have been skating as the 13th forward.
- Paul MacLean just wanted to see what the new guys bring, and Greening was just the odd man out.
- Greening could also be nursing an injury and is questionable to play on Saturday
- Or, the practice lines could BE the message to Greening.
That third option seems like a more likely scenario. Send a message in practice that if you don’t get your act together, you can be replaced. With so many regulars out of the lineup, and the potential to have 9 players that started the season in Binghamton on the ice against the rival Leafs, I don’t think MacLean would really consider sitting Greening at this point. If the struggles continue and Peter Regin and Milan Michalek are back, then that might be the time to sit him down for a game.