It's always a fun experience hearing about your favourite team's prospects playing well, especially when they achieve important milestones early in their career. Here is one for Leafs Nation to celebrate.
Today, Maple Leafs young forward prospect Nikita Grebyonkin scored the series winning goal for the Metallurg Magnitogorsk in KHL action, to knock off his former team, Amur Khabarovsk.
The 20-year-old Russian winger was drafted 135 overall in the 5th round of the 2022 draft. He is currently unsigned by the Maple Leafs, as he is under contract in the KHL. However, there is a great deal of belief that Grebyonkin is expected to sign his entry-level deal at the conclusion of his KHL season and may be heading to North America sooner rather than later.
He reached career highs in the KHL this regular season when he posted 19 goals and 22 assists, 41 points in 67 games played. The 6'2, 192 pound winger is making a name for himself as a late-round steal and his numbers are a showcase of that.
Scouting reports have Grebyonkin listed as a strong playmaker with great speed who sees the ice well and finds his teammates during rushes. He is creative with the puck and cycles the puck well. Getting into scrums isn't at the top of his list, but he can more than hold his own when the games get chippy. He's also good at separating opposing players from the puck along the boards and creating turnovers.
If Grebyonkin does come over to North America next season, it likely won't be to jump straight into NHL action. Grebyonkin, despite being an overage draftee, will likely cut his teeth at the AHL level before getting an NHL look, though it's clear from his play in the top European league that he can hold his own against some of the best players around.
