All eyes are on Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan to make the Leafs team; however, Nikita Grebenkin has a chance to play more than they do.
The NHL season is looming, and boy, are people calling out which prospects will break through and make the roster of teams around the league. It’s kind of a familiar question surrounding fans of the Maple Leafs with plenty of debate considering the amount of young talent the team has such as Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, Dennis Hildeby, and Nikita Grebenkin. It appears that the unexpected focus will be on Nikita Grebenkin.
Recently, NHL writer Luke Fox of Sportsnet took a crack at the very same question when one reader asked him which of these prospects will play the most this season. Fox’s selection? The Russian winger, Nikita Grebenkin, which is a choice that might raise a few eyebrows and shock Leafs nation.
”In a perfect, full-health world, the Maple Leafs would prefer Fraser Minten, Grebenkin, and Dennis Hildeby (still fourth on the goalie depth chart) to all ripen their skills with the AHL Marlies. But we could see a scenario where all of them get a callup at some point.
Let’s throw a dart and say Grebenkin, the oldest skater on the list. Maybe that’ll light even more fire under Cowan – not that he needs it.”