Maple Leafs' Top Prospect Making a Strong Case for Call-Up to Start Over Nick Robertson
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Nikita Grebenkin is absolutely tearing it up for the Toronto Marlies right now, and it should be worrisome to Nick Robertson as he tries to keep his spot on the team.
It's not too often a 5th-round pick turns a lot of heads, but leave it to Nikita Grebenkin to change that narrative:
The Maple Leafs drafted Grebenkin 135th overall, and since then he's been nothing but impressive. He had a solid training camp and has translated that into 10 points in his first 12 games going into Saturday's game, being a huge reason for the Marlies success thus far.
Nikita Grebenkin stands 6'2 and weighs 210 pounds, a power forward if there ever was one. He's got hands like silk and moves like lightning which makes opponents dizzy as he traverses the ice. Not only offensively gifted, Grebenkin uses his frame and size to disrupt opponents if they try anything in his zone:
The future is bright for Grebenkin, who already has pro experience after spending two seasons in the KHL. There's no denying he's going to be considered a draft steal and has the potential to be a massive part of Toronto's next set of superstars.
Nick Robertson's Departure Means Grebenkin's Arrival
That should worry Nick Robertson. The polarizing forward has been completely invisible this season with only one goal to his name and being a healthy scratch several times, and Toronto has used a variety of players to replace him as a hopes of sparking something.
So far that's been unsuccessful, but Grebenkin can add a whole slew of skill and size to the Maple Leafs who have also found success with a young, big power forward in Matthew Knies. If Grebenkin follows the same trajectory or even surpasses Knies; Toronto's got another part to make a new Core Four out of.
If Toronto were to call up Grebenkin for a spell, there's so much he can add that Robertson can't and it's worth a look considering he can't be any worse than Robertson has. Fans are also hopeful that he can come in and make an impact too:
Even analysts and reporters are taking notice too, as analyst Steven Ellis had high praise for the young winger and believes he too could take Robertson's spot:
"So there isn't an immediate path up for Grebenkin - unless, maybe, the team moves on from Nicholas Robertson. They've been hesitant to do that so far, but after a great preseason, Robertson has been dead quiet on the scoresheet. At this point, it's probably best for both sides to move on after the worst start of the winger's young career."
The addition of Nikita Grebenkin would solve a lot of Toronto's problems and it would be easier than trying to work out a trade given the lack of cap space and unreliability of the trade market.
They have their next superstar in the making and it's time to bring him aboard.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 16 | 873 ANSWERS Maple Leafs' Top Prospect Making a Strong Case for Call-Up to Start Over Nick Robertson Should Toronto call up Nikita Grebenkin from the AHL? | ||
| Yes he deserves it! | 535 | 61.3 % |
| No he's not ready | 338 | 38.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
