Top Maple Leafs Prospect Shining, Proving He's An Absolute Steal
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been building their prospect pool for the last several seasons. Top picks like Easton Cowan, Matthew Knies, and Nick Robertson have headlined the prospect pool. Now one extremely underrated prospect is showing why he was an absolute steal in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Nikita Grebyonkin Is On Fire
Nikita Grebyonkin the Leafs 2022 5th-round pick has been on a ridiculous pace to start out in the KHL. He has started the KHL preseason on the top line for Metallurg Magnitogorsk. This is unheard of for Russian prospects to play top-line minutes in the KHL this early into their career. This comes off of his incredible 2022-23 season where he put up 26 points in 45 games in the KHL.
During his pre-season stint with Magnitogorsk, he has proven he deserves a full-time shot in the KHL for the upcoming season.
Grebyonkin remained at 1RW alongside Mikhailis and Denis Zernov.
Grebyonkin has been able to show off his hockey IQ and great passing ability while playing for Magnitogorsk
In these next clips, Grebyonkin shows a nose for the net and good IQ heading to open ice and tapping in a pass from Chicago Blackhawks prospect Roman Kantserov. Then follows up a rebound in the next clip for a goal.
🚨 #LeafsForever Nikita Grebyonkin PP 2nd of the game
🍎 #Blackhawks Roman Kantserov
5-2 Metallurg #BashkortostanCup
3-1 Metallurg #BashkortostanCup
During the preseason Grebyonkin has put up 5 points in 4 games. An incredible pace for such a young player even if it is preseason. With the hot of a start, Metallurg Magnitogorsk will not be able to ignore the talent they have on their hands. Look for him to have a massive KHL season in 2023-24 and for the Leafs to take notice and try bringing him over to North America sooner rather than later.
| POLL | ||
Is Nikita Grebyonkin the best prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs system? | ||
| Yes | 334 | 46.8 % |
| No | 379 | 53.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
