If you’re watching the Leafs’ first preseason game of the season and remember reading our site back in November 2023, this article will probably make you feel an element of deja vu.
2022 fifth-round pick Nikita Grebenkin spent last season playing in the KHL and in one game in particular, endeared himself to Leaf fans who may not have been aware of his game by dropping the gloves with a player 40 pounds heavier and ten years older than him in defence of a teammate. Then, for good measure, he turned around and threw his hands in the air to fire up the crowd on his way to the box. Here’s a recap of that if you missed it.
Fast forward to September 2024, his first preseason game with the Leafs, and he just did the exact same thing.
Nikita Grebenkin , 5th round pick for the Leafs pic.twitter.com/FsmB4Bdlas
— Leafs Papi (@LeafsPapi_) September 23, 2024
The only thing missing from this one compared to what he did last season was the element of sticking up for a teammate. It’s unknown what started the fight (or why he ended up dropping the gloves with Adam Gaudette of all people) but if there’s one thing you can do to get on the fans’ good side, it’s showing you’re willing to get down and dirty and engage with the people who paid money to see you play.
Grebenkin’s first fan-favourite comes after catching the eye of head coach Craig Berube as training camp got underway, impressing his new bench boss with his combination of size and skill in early scrimmages and drills.
“He’s a strong guy. He’s a big guy, strong. I was impressed with him today. It was a tough practice but his pace didn’t drop off. Big, strong kid. Strong skater. Some real good stuff there, you know. I love his size.” Berube told reporters earlier this week.
The 21-year-old Russian turned heads in the KHL last season with 41 points in 67 games during his sophomore season and has stood out early in training camp, proving to be a step ahead of the other prospects battling for roster spots. While it will be hard to crack the roster out of training camp due to the amount of forwards competing for jobs, it would not be shocking to see him among if not the first call-up when injuries inevitably happen. Whether he makes it out of the gate or not, though, this is certainly a good way to make a first impresison.
