Introduction to Ryan Greene
Blackhawks forward prospect Ryan Greene’s college season ended in heartbreak Saturday, but he’ll have to move on quickly.
Signing with the Blackhawks
Greene signed his entry-level contract with a $950,000 salary-cap hit with the Hawks on Sunday, less than 24 hours after the Boston University team he captained lost to Western Michigan in the NCAA national championship.
Upcoming NHL Debut
The 21-year-old Newfoundland native, a second-round pick in 2022, is expected to play in the Hawks’ final two games of the regular season Monday against the Canadiens and Tuesday against the Senators. His contract is technically a three-year deal, but this week will burn the first year of it.
Background and Development
The Hawks tried to sign Greene last spring, after his sophomore season ended, but he chose to return to college. He told the Sun-Times earlier this season he was glad he did so. “It’s been very enjoyable for me to be able to step into a leadership role and have a different perspective throughout the whole year,” Greene said in February. “My game has continued to grow, which is what I wanted to achieve coming back to school here — to mature a little more and continue to round out my game.”
Performance and Projections
He finished with 38 points in 40 games, two points more than last season. But he projects to be more of a defensive center in the NHL, although Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson has been careful not to put him into too tight a box. “With players [such as Greene], it’s easy to say [he’ll be a] third-line center, right?” Davidson said in February. “But when you’ve got a player with pace, reliability and hockey sense, who knows if they can play up with skilled wingers and fill a nice role up the lineup, and be that reliable player that can distribute, that can be a safety valve defensively [and] also bring some offensive production.”
Related Moves and Implications
Fellow Hawks center prospect Sacha Boisvert, a first-round pick last summer and freshman standout at North Dakota this season, is currently in the transfer portal and is expected to transfer to BU, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported Saturday. He might essentially replace Greene in the Terriers’ depth chart.
Conclusion
Ryan Greene’s signing and impending NHL debut mark an exciting development for the Blackhawks. As he transitions from college to professional hockey, his growth and adaptation will be key to his success. The Blackhawks’ careful management of his expectations and role will also play a significant part in his development as a player.
FAQs
- Q: When is Ryan Greene expected to make his NHL debut?
- A: Monday against the Canadiens.
- Q: What is the salary-cap hit of Ryan Greene’s entry-level contract?
- A: $950,000.
- Q: Why did Ryan Greene choose to return to college instead of signing with the Blackhawks last spring?
- A: To mature a little more and continue to round out his game by stepping into a leadership role and having a different perspective throughout the year.
