Flyers prospect Nikita Grebenkin already gained valuable NHL experience with the Maple Leafs this season. (Photo: John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f6318c11-0357-4631-a8d4-11cf4b4f9ef0.jpeg] Flyers prospect Nikita Grebenkin already gained valuable NHL experience with the Maple Leafs this season. (Photo: John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images) The Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] knew Nikita Grebenkin was a stud prospect when they acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs, but were they expecting this? Grebenkin, 21, failed to score a point in his seven NHL appearances with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. In 39 AHL games with the Toronto Marlies, Grebenkin was averaging a goal every four games and joined the Flyers organization with nine goals, 12 assists, and 21 points under his belt. But, since arriving from Toronto in the trade that saw the Flyers send Scott Laughton the other way, all Grebenkin has done is produce. The 6-foot-2 Russian winger has already shown his chops in front of the net, from both in tight and long range. Already with three goals and two assists since joining up with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Grebenkin's latest exploits saw him dance a defender in the neutral zone before finding the middle of the ice, loading up, and ripping a shot past the glove of Laval goaltender Connor Hughes. Known best for his enthralling blend of size and skill [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/652832/nikita-grebyonkin], Grebenkin still needs to work on skating through and navigating traffic and, sometimes, playing through contact, even for a bigger player. Skill can only be taught to a certain point, especially at the NHL level, whereas strength and a more aggressive mentality can come with experience and further time spent in the gym. Because the Flyers already used their fourth and final post-trade deadline call-up on rookie goalie Aleksei Kolosov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/players/aleksei-kolosovs-flyers-return-creates-more-questions-than-answers], Grebenkin will only see NHL ice again this season if the squad suffers a rash of injuries. Winger Garnet Hathaway [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/players/garnet-hathaway-returns-to-flyers-from-injury-ready-to-play-his-game] just returned from a long layoff, so with the Flyers only getting the healthier, the chances of Grebenkin making his debut with the Orange and Black this season are virtually nil. Flyers fans can, however, excitedly look towards the near future. Grebenkin, Kolosov, Jett Luchanko [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/players/flyers-jett-luchanko-opens-phantoms-account-with-first-pro-point], and others are all set to help lead the Phantoms in their Calder Cup playoff campaign. Ty Murchison just joined the Phantoms on an amateur tryout offer, Alex Ciernik has yet to make his debut, and there's a chance Alex Bump can join the fold, too. Grebenkin is already playing like a beast for the Flyers organization, and the excitement amongst fans is understandably reaching a fever pitch. Extra seasoning in the AHL never hurt anybody, plus, this is the perfect opportunity for Grebenkin to build chemistry and familiarity with someone like Luchanko, for example. Watch this space.
