The Philadelphia Flyers have long been known for getting under the opposition’s skin. Whether it was players like Travis Konecny or Wayne Simmonds stirring the pot, the Flyers have almost always had someone willing to irritate the other team. This season, that role appears to belong to Nikita Grebenkin.
Nikita Grebenkin vs. the Washington Capitals
The Flyers faced the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night in a crucial matchup, with both teams clinging to slim playoff hopes. Heavy hits and constant scrums quickly set the tone, turning the contest into a physical, high-intensity battle. Several players were involved in the physicality, but none made their presence felt more than Flyers’ 22-year-old winger Nikita Grebenkin.
The young winger was all over the ice Wednesday night, causing chaos and getting under the skin of the Capitals players – Brandon Duhaime in particular.
Grebenkin and Duhaime had multiple post-whistle scrums, including one with just under six minutes left in the first period, where Duhaime punched Grebenkin in the face, and the Flyers winger just laughed it off – as a true psycho would.
Nikita Grebenkin is a psycho lol#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/3eDxS79BBL
— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) March 12, 2026
After the final whistle sounded and the Flyers completed their 4-1 victory over the Capitals, Grebenkin wasn’t done with the trolling. He gave Duhaime a cheeky little cross-check to the back and ticked off the Capitals forward.
Nikita Grebenkin and Brandon Duhaime got into it after the final horn and Grebenkin was straight up trolling Duhaime 🫨😭 pic.twitter.com/hqhArC53Vv
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 12, 2026
Another scrum ensued, and Grebenkin didn’t hold back with the antics this time. After being separated by the linesman, Grebenkin pointed at Duhaime and chuckled – a true pest action from the young Flyers forward.
Getting the last laugh tonight on Broad St. pic.twitter.com/bUXiC0Bo9V
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 12, 2026
Evaluating Grebenkin’s season so far
Nikita Grebenkin has been a solid piece for the Flyers this season. The 6-foot-2 winger has four goals and 10 assists this season, while playing a majority of his games on the fourth line. During the first few games of the season, Grebenkin was a regular healthy scratch, rotating in and out of the line-up with other fourth-line players Garnet Hathaway and – now Carolina Hurricane – Nic Deslauriers. Over the course of the season, however, he’s turned himself into a solid role player, leaning into his physicality and pest mentality to help drag the Flyers into the fight.
That’s exactly what he did last night. In a game where the Flyers started down 1-0 for the 44th time this season, it’s energy guys – like Grebenkin – who can single-handedly drag the team into the fight.
Over the last three games, Grebenkin has really started to shine. On Saturday against the Penguins, he had a nasty backhand pass off the boards to find Alex Bump for his first career goal in the NHL.
Beautiful release from Alex Bump for his first in the NHL, and his family is loving it. Grebenkin with a great feed as well.#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/OfuJjXoQfZ
— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) March 7, 2026
He followed that up with an almost identical play on Monday night against the Rangers, when he found captain Sean Couturier in front of the net and assisted on Couturier’s first goal against a goalie since December 7. The 22-year-old didn’t record any points or make flashy plays in Wednesday night’s game against the Washington Capitals, but Grebenkin’s physical play – combined with his skill – is what allows him to shine.
He has already shown this season that he’s willing to stand up for his teammates and drop the gloves, and now adding the antagonist energy to his game is only going to make him more of a pest to play against. If the Flyers are looking to make a push for the playoffs this year, or even over the next few, having a guy like Grebenkin in the lineup will be essential.
A guy who embraces the chaos type of energy has always held a special place in the lineup – look at Wayne Simmonds, for example. Nikita Grebenkin is quickly proving that he belongs in that same category. Whether he’s setting up teammates with nasty passes along the boards, throwing his body around, or laughing in the face of an opponent trying to get under his skin, the 6-foot-2 winger brings the exact brand of irritating, high-energy hockey that opponents hate, and teammates love. If the past few games are any indication, the Flyers may have found their next great agitator — and he looks more than content to keep getting under guys’ skin.
