Leafs prospect Nikita Grebyonkin makes ultimate sacrifice to join Leafs early

After being selected in the 5th round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, I don't think there were too many people banking on Grebyonkin, or Grebenkin, depending on which spelling you recognize him by, being a star. However, with a breakout season as a rookie in 2022-23 in the KHL, Grebyonkin really made a name for himself, producing 9 goals and 26 points in 45 games. He followed that up with a 19-goal, 41-point sophomore season, followed by a Gagarin Cup victory with Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

With not much left to prove at the KHL level, Grebyonkin sought out and was granted a mutual contract termination, allowing him to sign his ELC with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, I'm not sure anyone expected him to make the ultimate sacrifice before coming over to North America.

According to Hockey News Hub, Grebyonkin is passing up on his opportunity to spend a day with the Gagarin Cup, the KHL's holy grail, to travel to Toronto to begin his Maple Leafs career early.

You have to admire the commitment from Grebyonkin, who is passing up a once in a lifetime opportunity to get his NHL career jumpstarted.