When the Flyers acquired Nikita Grebenkin last spring for Scott Laughton, we weren't totally sure what we were getting in return. He was 6'2", 220 lbs, and was a fifth-round pick of the Maple Leafs in 2022. He had never really been on anyone's major hockey radar as a junior, put up modest stats in the KHL, and then he arrived in North America.
Playing for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, people began to take notice of him. In 39 games last season, he scored nine goals with 21 assists. It was also good for a seven-game call-up by the Maple Leafs. He began to be regarded as a top prospect and became a highly desired trade chip as last season went on. As we all know, it was Daniel Briere and the Flyers that acquired him. In his eleven-game stint with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Grebenkin scored three goals and four assists.
However, during rookie camp this summer and throughout training camp, Grebenkin's name kept popping up. Here is a high motor kid who can sling his weight around, punish the opposition, and find ways to create scoring chances. He scored just one goal, but was in front of the net many times battling for the puck. He hit the ice with players like Trevor Zegras, Travis Konecny, and Matvei Mickhov. These are some of the best players on the Flyers; they are not the type of guys you place a rookie on a line with unless you really believe in him.
Grebenkin Could be the Second Coming of Rick Tocchet
If you look more closely, I think one of the reasons that Grebenkin has cracked the Flyers roster, above even higher-rated prospects, is his head coach. Rick Tocchet is 6'2" and, as a player, weighed 210 lbs. Tocchet was a sixth-round pick and was selected 121st overall, while Grebenkin was chosen at 135th.
The similarities don't end there. Tocchet was also known for having a high-end motor that didn't stop. He would smash into opposing players like he was crashing through a paper wall. He would camp out in front of the net to grab a rebound and park it in the net, similar to how John LeClair and Wayne Simmonds would do later on. He could battle in the corner and set up his linemates for scoring opportunities.
Rick Tocchet on Nikita Grebenkin:
— Jamey Baskow (@JameyBaskow) September 28, 2025
"He's a sticky guy, helps out the loose pucks. He's got to clean up some stuff, turnovers at Center rice. Other than that, I thought he had a good game for us."#Flyers
That's an interesting blurb. It suggests that Grebenkin would stick to his opponents and not allow them to get away with anything positive. It suggests that he will stick with the puck and battle for it. It also suggests that Grebenkin is a raw 22-year-old kid who needs some polishing. However, Tocchet would be the one to polish him up and turn him into a Russian version of himself.
Grebenkin will be a fun rookie to watch. He's going to bring some grit and punch that the Flyers haven't seen in a while. Likewise, his coach seems like he'll have a lot of fun mentoring him and molding him into being a great Flyer. This is probably why so many stories and outlets keep saying that Grebenkin is destined to become a fan favorite.
We'll soon find out how true that will be.