All eyes are on Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan to make the Leafs team; however, Nikita Grebenkin has a chance to play more than they do.
The NHL season is looming, and boy, are people calling out which prospects will break through and make the roster of teams around the league. It's kind of a familiar question surrounding fans of the Maple Leafs with plenty of debate considering the amount of young talent the team has such as Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, Dennis Hildeby, and Nikita Grebenkin. It appears that the unexpected focus will be on Nikita Grebenkin.
Recently, NHL writer Luke Fox of Sportsnet took a crack at the very same question when one reader asked him which of these prospects will play the most this season. Fox's selection? The Russian winger, Nikita Grebenkin, which is a choice that might raise a few eyebrows and shock Leafs nation.
''In a perfect, full-health world, the Maple Leafs would prefer Fraser Minten, Grebenkin, and Dennis Hildeby (still fourth on the goalie depth chart) to all ripen their skills with the AHL Marlies. But we could see a scenario where all of them get a callup at some point.Let's throw a dart and say Grebenkin, the oldest skater on the list. Maybe that'll light even more fire under Cowan - not that he needs it.''
- Luke Fox
Why? Well, Fraser Minten and Dennis Hildeby have a bit of experience in the NHL already. Minten even made the team straight out of camp last year, and Hildeby, who was largely a practice squad guy, did suit up as a backup.
Then there's Easton Cowan, the clear standout of the season last year with the London Knights, taking home a few OHL awards after leading his team to a championship. Clearly gunning for a spot on the Leafs, Cowan opted to attend their camp instead of returning to the Knights, which has left many Leafs fans happy, as they cannot wait to see him tear it up in the league one day.
But despite all that, Luke Fox sees something special in Nikita Grebenkin. The 21-year-old had a breakout year in the KHL, recording 41 points in 67 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Sure, Easton Cowan might have the higher ceiling in terms of potential, but Grebenkin has already shown he can hang with the pros and is ready to contribute at the NHL level right now. If management sees that he is more ready at the moment in the short term, then he could get the roster spot over the other mentioned players.
Regardless of which of the prospects ultimately log the most games, their respective impacts could be the key in what has thus far been a Maple Leafs team starving for a playoff breakthrough. A team that has a nice mix of seasoned veterans, young superstars, and top prospects could be exactly what the franchise needs to finally make a deep playoff run. With only one series win to date in the 'Core Four' era, the Leafs are starving for some success, and the strategy around how these young players are used could be exactly what rescues the team.
