Nikita Grebenkin on trade to Flyers: ‘Go Leafs Go, it’s business!'

It looks like there are no hard feelings from Nikita Grebenkin after his trade to the Philadelphia Flyers.

The fan-favourite former Leafs prospect was part of the deal to acquire Scott Laughton that took place in the final hours before the deadline as speculation went wild about which players might be on their way out. Reflecting on it weeks later, the 21-year-old Russian skater says he understands it’s not personal.

“I [knew] 95% Leafs [would] traded me, and no surprise to me,” said Grebenkin, speaking to Mark Masters on TSN. “[Brad] Treliving tell me, Nikita, you nice guy but we made trade with you. I said, Brad, no problem. Go Leafs go! It’s business! Yeah, I don’t worry, really don’t worry.”

Grebenkin was drafted by the Leafs in the fifth round of the 2022 draft and made his way to North America from the KHL this season. He was called up for his NHL debut last year on November 20th against the Vegas Golden Knights, then playing a seven-game stint with the Leafs before being sent down to the Marlies. There, he put up 9 goals and 21 points in 39 games.

He quickly gained attention on social media after his first NHL game with a viral one-liner about what people were telling him ahead of his debut, saying it was all about “backcheck, forecheck, and paycheque.” The line boosted his popularity in-market and across the country as just the first sample of his upbeat and fun personality when dealing with media.

And while he acknowledges his gratitude to the people of Toronto for making him feel so loved, he added that he’s ready to be known for his game on the ice as well.

“Right now, I don’t play NHL long time,” he said. “People know me only for interview. I want that to change.”

Now, he’s hoping to make his way with the Flyers, a younger, grittier team still in the midst of finding its identity, especially after firing head coach John Tortorella on Thursday. Grebenkin is currently playing with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ AHL affiliate. As he works his way in this new organization, he has one resounding message for the city that got him started.

“I like Toronto, thank you Toronto, people, teammates,” he said. “The guys really helped me in starting my career in America.”