One prospect the Maple Leafs could find on their roster come season's opening

With names like Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and Noah Chadwick making headlines about their potential to make the Maple Leafs roster, one humble prospect is betting on himself.

Nikita Grebyonkin, a 5th Round pick of the Maple Leafs feels confident in his ability not only on the ice, but his accelerated maturation having played in the KHL for 4 seasons, mainly with Magnitogorsk Metallurg and recently won the KHL Championship in 2023-24. He scored 19 goals and 22 assists in 67 games, and for his sole season playing for Khabarovsk Amur registered 9 goals and 17 assists in 45 games.

Since arriving in Canada after signing his entry-level contract, Grebyonkin has been nothing but dedicated to getting better, stronger, and learn to adapt himself to the North American game.

"I've been in Toronto for two months now. As soon as I arrived in Canada, I started going to the gym. I didn't skate for three months, and today [August 6], I took the ice for the first time. Preparation is going according to plan," said Grebyonkin.

This is fantastic news for a skater who is already 6'1 and nearly 200 pounds; if he can bulk up a bit and keep his speed then he will be a nightmare on a third or fourth line pairing without a doubt. The young Russian is staying humble though as he knows by keeping his head down and nose to the grind that he has a very good shot at making the team.

"I live for today, I know that tomorrow is practice and what I'll do, and what happens next-we'll see. I was told that my main task is to prepare for the season, and exhibition games don't play such a decisive role."

It's nice to hear a very mature outlook on camp from such a young player, knowing that nothing is certain and to take each game, practice and bag skate as seriously and intensely as he knows the NHL demands. If Toronto is unable to figure out their depth pieces through the free agency market, or pull in some value for RFA Nick Robertson; they could find it nestled within the Coca-Cola Coliseum.

Previously on MapleLeafsLatest

Outspoken former NHL player Matthew Barnaby: 'C' is overrated

GM Brad Treliving not done adding to Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs have relinquished rights to two prospects as deadline passes

POLL
16 AOUT \| 54 ANSWERS One prospect the Maple Leafs could find on their roster come season's opening Do you think Nikita Grebyonkin will make the Maple Leafs this year?
Yes	18	33.3 %
No	22	40.7 %
Only if injuries	13	24.1 %
Traded before he gets a chance	1	1.9 %
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