Maple Leafs’ Nikita Grebenkin all confidence ahead of NHL debut: ‘Let’s go work today’

A fifth-round pick from the 2022 NHL Draft, the 21-year-old Grebenkin has skyrocketed from an unknown player in the Maple Leafs’ system to arguably one of their best prospects. He took home KHL Rookie of the Year honours in 2022-23 and excelled in his sophomore year, scoring 19 goals and recording 41 points in 67 games against Russia’s top talent.

The Maple Leafs signed Grebenkin to an entry-level contract at the end of April last season, and in his limited time with the organization, he’s wasted no time showing fans what they can expect from him. He dropped the gloves in his preseason debut against the Ottawa Senators and hyped up home fans on his way to the box, and has displayed a mix of raw skill and physicality to his game that should perfectly complement the bottom six.

Grebenkin is off to a strong start with the Marlies with four goals and ten points in 13 games, and with his teammate and linemate Fraser Minten receiving his first call-up of the season yesterday, it’s possible we see the two rookies skate on a line together. Minten is off to a strong start of his own, with four points in five AHL games so far after missing the start of the season due to a high ankle sprain sustained in the team’s rookie camp showdown against the Montreal Canadiens.

It’s a big moment for Grebenkin, but he’s not fazed by the moment. And his expectations are already where they should be.

“If we win, I’ll enjoy it. If we don’t win, I won’t.”