When the Philadelphia Flyers shipped Scott Laughton and a pair of draft picks to the Toronto Maple Leafs in March, fans lauded general manager Daniel Briere for fetching a 2027 first-round draft pick in return.
But also included in the return for Laughton was forward Nikita Grebenkin, who is quickly stealing the hearts of Flyers fans everywhere.
Grebenkin, 22, is a solid prospect. In 50 games between the Toronto Marlies and Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season, the Serov, Russia native compiled 12 goals and 28 points, then went on to play a key role for the Phantoms in their playoff run.
The 2022 fifth-round draft selection fits the mold of an everyday NHL player. He’s big, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 210 pounds, isn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty in front of the net, and even has that classic hockey smile only a mother can love — he lost one of his central incisors in a fight while he was playing in Russia.
But while his on-ice play is intriguing, it’s his infectious personality that’s charmed the Flyers fan base.
After making his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs last November, Grebenkin, who’s still getting a handle on the English language, set social media ablaze with one of the most legendary quotes in recent hockey memory.
Backcheck, forecheck, paycheck, baby.
Now with the Flyers, Grebenkin’s happy-go-lucky energy hasn’t lost its shine.
Prior to Friday night’s rookie game against New York Rangers prospects, Grebenkin dropped yet another memorable bar, simply delivering a quick message of positivity to the media.
Hours later, Grebenkin went on to score the game-winning goal in overtime to give the Flyers a 4-3 win over the Rangers.
Not too shabby.
Training camp is set to begin next week, and Grebenkin will be battling for a spot on the Flyers’ opening night roster. Widely regarded as a dark horse to make the team out of camp, his chances aren’t totally nonexistent. His nose for the net would make him a welcome addition to a Flyers power play that’s ranked 30th or worse in the NHL in each of the last four seasons. And given his lighthearted nature, he’d likely serve as a magnetic presence in the locker room.
Regardless of whether he begins the season as a Flyer or a Phantom, though, Grebenkin is sure to be a fan favorite.
