Tampa, Fla. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - As the Buffalo Sabres prepare to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, winger Jordan Greenway is relieved he doesn’t have to worry about Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline or contracts.
Greenway was rewarded on Wednesday with a new two-year contract extension worth $4 million per-year.
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Greenway says it was a relief to get this contract situation out of the way.
"Of course it’s nice. I’m satisfied and really happy we were able to get it done, and be in Buffalo for another two years," said Greenway on Thursday following the morning skate in Tampa.
Buffalo has become a place that Greenway has enjoyed being in.
"I just believe in what everyone is trying to do here. The guys, the city, everything about it. I’ve had a tremendous time here, and I think we have a good group here that’s building towards our ultimate goal, and I want to be a part of it," he said.
None of us know if head coach Lindy Ruff will be coaching this team for two more years, but if he is, he’s glad Greenway will be with him.
"I’m happy to get a guy like that signed," said Ruff after Thursday's morning skate. "He’s got size, physicality, penalty killing, and he’s a guy that’s well respected and a good character guy in the room."
Ruff confirmed on Thursday that forward Jason Zucker is still injured and not being held out of the lineup for any sort of roster management. He says they’re trying something different to help Zucker recover from his injury.
"I can tell you we’re trying a little different type of treatment to try to progress this thing, and we’re hoping that’ll lead to getting him back on the ice," Ruff explained. "We’re a little frustrated with how long it has taken."
Thursday's contest with the Lightning is the first game this season against their Atlantic Division opponent. Buffalo has a four-game losing streak, but have won five of their last six against Tampa Bay.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen steps back into the net for Buffalo after having just one good start in his last six games. He’s 20-18-4 this season with a 3.06 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage.
Tampa Bay has won 9-of-10 games, and are 10-1-1 in their last 12.
The Lightning will have two new players in the lineup Thursday, as they acquired Oliver Bjorkstrom and re-acquired Yanni Gourde from the Seattle Kraken in a trade on Wednesday.
Andrei Vasilevskiy will likely be back in goal for Tampa Bay since he didn’t play in their last game. He’s 29-16-3 this season with a 2.18 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage.
The Lightning are fifth in the NHL with a goals-against average of 2.61. Their 3.56 goals-for per-game is second in the league.
Nikita Kucherov is third in league scoring this season with 28 goals and 62 assists for 90 points. His assists are second in the league, only behind Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon.
Thursday is a radio only game, so the only place to catch Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the call is WGR Sports Radio 550. Tune in during “Schopp and the Bulldog” at 6 p.m. for pregame coverage, where you’ll hear from Ruff, Greenway and former Sabres forward Zemgus Girgensons.