Maple Leafs Rising Star Receiving Praise As Best Russian Prospect

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Tyler Ball
September 11, 2023 (3:01 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have been building their prospect pool over the past few years. With the debuts of players like Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson throughout the last couple of seasons the focus now turns to another player.

Maple Leafs Find A Russian Gem

The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Nikita Grebyonkin in the 5th round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Since then Grebyonkin has exploded. Last season he put up 26 points in 45 KHL games. This year in 4 games so far he already has 2 points.

Grebyonkin is still only 20 and producing at an incredible level for a young KHLer. Notoriously the KHL has been a difficult league for young players to thrive in.

The best example recently is Matvei Michkov who was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2023 NHL Draft. He has struggled to even get playing time in the KHL let alone do well statistically.

Grebyonkin To The Leafs?

Nikita Grebyonkin is still commited to the KHL for this upcoming season. Though it will likely be another 2-3 years before we see Grebyonkin in a Maple Leafs uniform. He would still be only 23 if this were the timeline.

If Grebyonkin does come over he could help soften the blow of potentially losing players like William Nylander or John Tavares in the next few seasons.

For now Grebyonkin will continue to try and light up the KHL and make a name for himself. It will be interesting to see how much he truly can put up as just a 20 year old in the KHL this year.