Nikita Grebenkin, the Philadelphia Flyers' prospect, has had a noteworthy 2024-2025 season, marked by his NHL debut, a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs, and his ongoing efforts to secure a permanent spot in the Flyers' lineup.
Grebenkin's journey to the NHL began with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He made his professional debut in December 2021. Most of the 2021-22 season was spent with Stalnye Lisy in the Russian Junior Hockey League (MHL), where he had 17 goals and 64 points in 58 games. His performance led to him being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fifth round, 135th overall, in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He then spent time in the KHL, where he honed his skills. In the 2023-24 KHL season, he achieved a career-high of 19 goals and 41 points. Metallurg Magnitogorsk also won the Gagarin Cup in 2024.
Grebenkin transitioned to North America for the 2024-25 season, joining the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). After 13 games with the Marlies, where he recorded four goals and ten points, he was called up to the Maple Leafs. Grebenkin made his NHL debut on November 20, 2024, in a game against the Vegas Golden Knights. He played seven games for the Maple Leafs but did not register a point. Despite the short stint, he quickly became a fan favorite, known for his energy and memorable "backcheck, forecheck, paycheck" comment.
On March 7, 2025, the Maple Leafs traded Grebenkin to the Philadelphia Flyers along with a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. In return, the Flyers sent Scott Laughton, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft to Toronto. Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere acknowledged the difficulty of trading Laughton, a long-tenured player, but emphasized the importance of the deal for the team's future. Briere also noted that the Flyers had been targeting Grebenkin, viewing him as part of their long-term plans. Grebenkin, for his part, took the trade in stride, understanding it was a business decision. He was aware that a trade was possible and harbored no ill feelings towards the Maple Leafs organization.
Since joining the Flyers organization, Grebenkin has been assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers' AHL affiliate. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Grebenkin is a left winger who can also play on the right side. He is known as a strong playmaker with good vision and puck possession skills. Grebenkin excels at creating net-front presence and has offensive instincts, which has led to the suggestion that he would be a good fit on a line with Matvei Michkov.
Looking ahead, Grebenkin aims to earn a permanent role with the Flyers. While he may not be the fastest skater, his strengths lie in his hockey sense, puck control, and ability to create opportunities for his teammates. The Flyers are in a rebuilding phase, focusing on developing young players with consistency and upside, which aligns well with Grebenkin's development path.
