Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nikita Grebenkin will make his National Hockey League (NHL) debut on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The 21-year-old winger began his North American journey this season after spending the last four years in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where he won the 2023-2024 championship with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. The Russian played a key role in his team’s success, collecting 41 points in 67 regular season games, in addition to adding six more in the playoffs.
As his first matchup in the Bettman circuit approaches, Grebenkin didn’t mince his words when asked about his expectations for his first outing with the Leafs. All he wants is victory.
“If we don’t win, I won’t enjoy this moment. If we win, I will appreciate it. » – Nikita Grebenkin
After impressing during his training camp, the left-hander was assigned to the Marlies’ farm club in order to gradually adapt to the North American game. In 13 games, he scored 10 points, ranking second on his team. Faced with the numerous injuries affecting the training of the Queen City, Brad Treliving felt that he was the best candidate for a recall.
According to information available on the Daily Faceoff website, the 2022 fifth-round pick should play on the third line alongside Nicholas Robertson and Fraser Minten, in addition to receiving ice time on the second wave of the massive attack .
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