Lost in the flurry of all the big name, blockbuster trades this past week (Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch, Brady Tkachuk, etc.), the Flyers sent fourth line forward Garnet Hathaway to the Florida Panthers. In return for Hathway, half of his salary, and a 2026 sixth-round pick, Daniel Briere was able to get a 2026 fifth-round pick and a fourth-round pick in 2027. Not a bad haul.
Hathaway was an 11-year veteran who spent the last three years in Philly. He was never much of a scorer, having scored just one goal this year, although he taillied 10 goals last season. However, he brought a physicality to the team that helped make Nicolas Deslauriers expendable. When teamed up with Sean Couturier and Luke Glendenning this spring, the Flyers had one of the most dynamic fourth lines in the NHL.
With Hathaway gone, that opens up a starting roster position. This is the perfect opportunity for Nikita Grebenkin to hone his skills. The 23-year-old favorite of head coach Rick Tocchet could etch out a role on the fourth line and learn from Couturier and even transform the team's fourth line into something more than just a checking role.
Grebenkin was supposed to be a prize jewel in the Scott Laughton trade, along with the first-round pick from Toronto. He is a physical specimen who can dole out hits, but everyone hopes he can develop a scoring touch. After all, the former fifth-round pick flashed some scoring potential in the Russian junior leagues and KHL. It hasn't translated as well to the AHL with the Toronto Marlies nor the NHL level.....yet.
Again, he is young. He is 6'2", 210 lbs, can play either wing position, and will throw his weight around. Before he got hurt, he scored four goals with 10 assists while doling out 86 hits and blocking 17 shots in 55 games. Now, while those numbers may not jump out at you, remember he was shuffled along all four lines at various times of the season as Tocchet was trying to find out where he fits the best.
Grebenkin got injured with an undisclosed upper-body injury in March against the San Jose Sharks. It was expected that he might miss a week or so. He missed the rest of the season and the entirety of the playoffs. It is even possible that he misses the start of the 2026-27 season.
Despite this, when he returns, he could play a vital role on that fourth line. Lined up next to Couturier, he could learn tricks on how to become a more effective skater, see the play develop, and perhaps learn to play center. IfGlendening returns, he could still learn more from another valuable vet.
On the fourth line, he could become a big, hulking bruiser, but enhance his scoring skills as well. We saw this during the playoffs when the line of Hathaway-Couturier-Glendenning became a thorn in the side of Pittsburgh and scored a few goals. Grebenkin could fill this role well.
Of course, a lot will depend on what moves the Flyers make in the draft, in free agency, and in any trades that may occur between now and the opening of the hockey season. A big part of that is Grebenkin's health. The Flyers should be in no rush to bring him back. It's better to sit him for half the year and give him a future instead of forcing the issue, getting him hurt, and then he is ruined.
But if and when he comes back, this is a golden opportunity for him to shine. And if he can shine, this team could be formidible.
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