Maple Leafs sign top prospect Nikita Grebyonkin to entry-level deal
The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially signed their young prospect Nikita Grebyonkin to an entry-level contract.
Grebyonkin is coming off a Gagarin Cup win in the KHL, and he is set to join the Maple Leafs, who drafted him 135th overall in the 2022 NHL draft.
Chris Johnston shared the news on X:
While we don't know when the Leafs plan on adding him to the line up, his contract is effective immediately, meaning that theoretically, he could play his first NHL game as soon as tomorrow.
However, the stakes are high for the Leafs, who will face elimination tomorrow. Adding a rookie to the line up would be a big risk.
He had a great year in the KHL, tallying 19 goals and 22 assists in 67 games this season, but his role diminished in the playoffs; he scored only six points in 23 games.
One thing is certain; Sheldon Keefe will have big decisions to make. He hasn't taken any big risks in the playoffs until now and things haven't turned his way yet. Grebyonkin could make a difference, but it would be surprising to see him in action for game 5. If the Leafs win, he could be added to the line up for other games, if there's injuries or if Keefe finally decides to take a risk.
Do you think Nikita Grebyonkin will play a game with the Maple Leafs in the playoffs?
More to come.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Nikita Grebyonkin will play a game with the Maple Leafs in the playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 209 | 25.7 % |
| No | 605 | 74.3 % |
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