Nikita Grebenkin just wants someone to hit him. And his teammates aren't cooperating.
“He goes, ‘The guys won’t hit him.’ He wants to be hit. He really said that. He goes, ‘The players won’t hit me.’” Rick Tocchet said after Wednesday's practice.
It's a humorous quote from Grebenkin. It also provides a good indication of where he is in his recovery from an injury that ended his 2025-26 season back in late March. There still hasn't been much talk about the specifics of his injury, but Grebenkin recently shed the non-contact jersey, signifying a big step in his return.
Grebenkin is expected to play in the Flyers' third preseason game, and now the roster conversation just got more interesting. The team's recent cuts have made the battle for roster spots even clearer. The thing is, Grebenkin was always going to be a part of the conversation; things were just delayed by his minor setback ahead of camp.
Grebenkin provides a skill set that would be perfect for the Flyers' bottom six. He's not going to be a top scorer in this league, and that's okay. He's a nuisance who gets under opponents' skin. He showed that last season, especially with his willingness to engage in the physical side of the game.
That is what makes Grebenkin valuable in his role, but there is offensive potential, and the Flyers hope to get more out of him. He finished last season with 14 points in 55 games. For a player who will potentially take on a fourth-line role in the NHL, that is still meaningful production, especially for a team that needs more contribution from other places in the lineup.
If Grebenkin can take even a small step forward while maintaining what has made him successful, that will only help his chances of sticking in the NHL. The problem for him at this point is that the competition has been developing without him. And it's gotten even tighter with only two games remaining. That's why playing in the preseason is especially important for Grebenkin.
He hasn't had the chance to show the Flyers why he belongs on the roster now. They know what he can bring and what he's provided in the past. But he has to show he can still do all of that after returning from an injury that took longer to recover from than initially expected. And he will have to do it quickly.
The Flyers roster competition has already taken shape
Cole Knuble has been effective in both preseason games, and the hype around him hasn't died for good reason. He's earned the opportunities he has been given and could really make this conversation difficult if he succeeds with NHL-level players alongside him.
Jett Luchanko isn't standing out at the level Knuble has, but he is making smart decisions with the puck and showing off the speed that is important to his game. He's showing signs he's ready to put the injuries in the past and build toward a strong first full professional season.
There's also Carl Grundstrom, who could factor into the Flyers' plans even after being placed on waivers. Some believe Philadelphia is trying to sneak him through as teams make big cuts to their rosters. He does the things you look for in the ideal fourth-liner and is someone the Flyers can rely on if they need someone to provide just that.
Grundstrom provides the most stylistic comparison to Grebenkin, which could make him more of a direct competitor. But Knuble and Luchanko provide other possibilities, most notably the offensive upside they could bring to the lineup.
Grebenkin doesn't have the luxury of introducing himself into the conversation slowly. The Flyers already have other players making legitimate cases for a roster spot. Grebenkin needs to show the Flyers why he belongs over those other players. And that's why these final two games are most important for him.
Grebenkin will finally get to take those hits he's been waiting months for. And he is going to have to make them count.
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