Nikita Grebenkin was a key piece of the Scott Laughton trade and now in the former Leaf's career is on hold as he's out for several months after back surgery.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs added Scott Laughton to the lineup at the trade deadline during the 2024-25 season, he was expected to bring elite penalty killing and some more grit to Craig Berube's lineup. It cost them a first-round pick and prospect Nikita Grebenkin - and only lasted 63 games before being traded at the deadline during the 2025-26 season.
Speaking of Grebenkin, he was seen as someone who could help inject some physicality and scoring potential to a Flyers team who could use it, and provided GM Daniel Briere a young prospect who could support their stars. He had 14 points in 55 games last season, and looked to break out this year.
Grebenkin's 2026-27 season off to a rough start after back surgery
However, the former Maple Leaf's career is currently on the back burner as he deals with an injury. It was announced that Grebenkin would be out for the next four months after getting back surgery as per David Pagnotta:
-
The Maple Leafs know all too well what a back surgery can do for a player and their recovery time, as they had to deal with Max Domi and his offseason procedure. While Grebenkin has seemingly avoided any post-surgery issues like Domi did, it's still a tough road to climb back from.
The Flyers certainly could have used his physicality and scoring potential as they haven't really been as solid as expected, starting off the season with a 7-0 shutout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Grebenkin is still only 23 so he has loads of time to recover and get back into the swing of things, but his return timeframe puts it closer to a 2027 return than anything before that.
Grebenkin's career isn't over, but it's a tough road to come back from
For Grebenkin he does have time and youth on his side, and there is a chance he comes back rejuvenated and is able to help contribute. But he is also four months from likely skating, so it's optimistic to say he's coming back immediately after that four-month timeline.
He's going to have an uphill battle especially as someone who is as physical as he is, and may need to adjust his game slightly so as to minimize the risk of injury. It won't prevent it completely, but he may need to rely more on his intelligence and positioning than simply brute force.
When he was included in the Laughton deal it caught a lot of fans off guard because there was a real chance that Grebenkin could have been a factor in the lineup this year, and given the amount of Russian players added - he'd have a lot more familiarity and comfort with teammates.
Regardless of how you feel though, Grebenkin's injury is something that is truly unfortunate for a player woh was just starting to get his footing under him.
Do you think that Nikita Grebenkin will make his return to the NHL?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Igor Shesterkin's scary injury opens door for blockbuster Maple Leafs-Rangers trade proposal