Why the first impression of Maple Leafs hopeful Nikita Grebenkin is probably fun

If there’s one thing about Maple Leafs prospect Nikita Grebenkin, the Russian winger leaves a positive impression.
He did it right away with this fists, he has done it with his physical play and playmaking ability, and he has been doing it behind the scenes, getting to know his teammates as best he can despite a language barrier.
“He’s a great kid and his English is actually coming along pretty good,” winger Steven Lorentz said. “It was nice to get to know him a little bit when we were up in Muskoka. He’s a really friendly kid. He sat at the table with us a couple of times and you can tell he’s trying.
“He wants to say what’s on his mind. So a couple of times he had to pull the translator out on the phone and show us. A really nice kid, humble, super bubbly. And he’s got that infectious personality you want to be around. ”
The 21-year-old, six-foot-two winger scored 19 goals in the KHL last year with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. The Leafs selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL draft and he came over to join the Marlies at the end of last season. He spoke no English then but has made great strides, to the point where he gamely tried to answer a few questions in English with a couple of members of the media.
“I enjoy every day,” Grebenkin said through a thick Russian accent. “I understand hockey, it’s Toronto, it’s Canada hockey. Nice guys, my teammates, it’s really fun moment for me.”
The first impression he made on an unsuspecting fan base — and maybe an unsuspecting opponent — was dropping the gloves to fight Ottawa’s Adam Gaudette in the first pre-season game, then emerging with a big smile on his face and raising his arms to get the crowd going.
“I like fighting. It’s hockey. Hockey has fights. It’s fun,” he said.
Grebenkin’s answers are simple and straightforward. His play has been the same, which works for coach Craig Berube.
“He’s quite the character, this kid,” Berube said. “He’s got a real bright future in this league. He’s close. He’s impressed me just with his play. He’s a good player, obviously, and has some ability with his puck skills and strength and skating. But he’s quite a character off the ice. Pretty funny guy.”
Grebenkin was part of an NHL-AHL mixed team the Leafs sent to Detroit for their fifth of six pre-season games on Thursday night. Given Saturday’s finale will be mostly NHLers, it’s getting down to crunch time for players on the bubble, like Grebenkin, to make a case for themselves.
Lorentz and veteran Max Pacioretty, both in camp on professional tryout contracts, were part of the group that went to Detroit, as were Nick Robertson and prospect Easton Cowan. All are in the mix for forward jobs with the Leafs.
“We’re looking to see what they can do,” Berube said before the game. “They’re right there. We’ve got decisions to make. We’ll see how they perform.”
Before the Leafs took off for Detroit, they announced a number of cuts that included sending goalie Dennis Hildeby to the Marlies and putting forward Nick Abruzzesse on waivers for the purpose of sending him to the AHL club.
“Obviously, you’ve got to make cuts and get your team down,” Berube said. “Doesn’t mean they can’t come back up, and they’ve had good camps, but we can’t keep everybody.”
There’s still competition for the 23 jobs available.
“All the best teams I’ve been on, there’s always been guys pushing each other,” Pacioretty said. “That’s what makes a good team. Healthy internal competition has always been a way to bring out the best in people. And this is no different.”