Nikita Grebenkin and Fraser Minten were afforded major opportunities in the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup and they not only made an impact, but excelled in their season debuts against the Vegas Golden Knights. This also marked Grebenkin’s NHL debut, graduating to the league after being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Minten scored the first NHL goal of his career, finishing a slick feed from William Nylander to open the scoring. Matthew Knies — who left the game in the second period and did not return after a hit from Golden Knights defenceman Zach Whitecloud — and excelled in all situations throughout the night.
“Got a line change there, and sometimes when you’re coming off the bench on the rush, they don’t really pick you up. So I just tried to stay in the quiet ice there. And I know Willy sees everything, so just was waiting for something, and he made a great pass,” Minten said of his goal post-game.
The 20-year-old was promoted to Toronto’s top power play unit when Knies left the game, he created a good chance while short-handed, working in tandem with Mitch Marner, created four individual scoring chances overall and finished tied for third on the Maple Leafs in individual expected goals via Natural Stat Trick. Minten was causing chaos from the outset, and he generated a dangerous chance that was blocked by Golden Knights defenceman Kaeden Korczak prior to the goal.
First NHL goal was so MINT 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/uscU7o8djg
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 21, 2024
For his efforts, Minten received the team belt, awarded to Toronto’s best or most impactful player in a winning effort.
“Yeah, they were buzzing today,” Maple Leafs star William Nylander said. “They were all playing a great game and it was nice to see Fraser get his first. It’s a big accomplishment.”
What a Mint MOment pic.twitter.com/cvQj45tUnu
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 21, 2024
Grebenkin didn’t get on the board, but he was easily one of Toronto’s best players during the 3-0 victory. He bullied his way to the net and Minten just missed his second goal of the first period, when Grebenkin’s shot drew a huge rebound. The 21-year-old delivered a crushing hit on Golden Knights defenceman Shea Theodore, which set the tone for the game overall.
Nikita Grebenkin is going to be a fan favourite for the Leafs really quick pic.twitter.com/7LrKu6BfkK
— Michael (@mic_mazz) November 21, 2024
“I thought Grebenkin battled hard. He was physical, did what he had to do,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said about Grebenkin’s performance. “Strong on pucks down low. Finishing checks. All the things that I thought he was going to do.”
Think Berube is probably gonna want Minten and Grebenkin in the lineup again next game. They brought it tonight.
— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) November 21, 2024
“He was a factor,” Minten said of Grebenkin post-game. “You notice him and it’s great for your first game. It’s not easy — he’s coming over from another country, too. It’s a different language, everything, he did amazing.”
“He’s lots of fun, he’s a fun guy. He loves hockey, he’s really competitive. His English keeps getting better and learning more about him every day.”
Grebenkin was tenacious defensively and broke up scoring chances, and he almost generated another goal for Nylander during the second period, running over opponents on the cycle and deep inside the offensive zone to create plays. He finished with a team-best Corsi at 5-on-5, and finished third only to Bobby McMann and Mitch Marner in expected goals share at 5-on-5 as well.
Grebenkin gets back to deflect the pass pic.twitter.com/9S0aGhROsy
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 21, 2024
Grebenkin nearly got his first NHL point there pic.twitter.com/CI6Of26h8k
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 21, 2024
Grebenkin also had a golden scoring chance, corralling a saucer pass from Alex Steeves, drove to the net and crashed into Adin Hill, leaving the puck on the doorstep for Steeves. If Steeves had scored, it almost certainly wouldn’t have counted but Grebenkin’s tenacity, skill and physicality made an immediate impact.
And he’s going to be a fan favourite quickly!
It was a banner NHL debut for Grebenkin, and a season debut Minten will never forget, after spending four games with the Maple Leafs last season. Opportunity often presents itself in odd ways and the Maple Leafs’ future pillars, for the time being at least, are making the most of it.
Future Toronto folk hero Nikita Grebenkin https://t.co/1bBWgb0JyT
— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) November 21, 2024
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