Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Nikita Grebenkin (71) looks on against the Florida Panthers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Nikita Grebenkin knew a trade was possible.
That didn't mean he spent his days expecting it, but he wasn't caught off guard when the news came down.
"I knew I could be traded," Grebenkin said in a recent interview. "I wasn't completely sure, but there were signs."
The Philadelphia Flyers, always on the lookout for young, skilled forwards with upside, saw something in Grebenkin that made them willing to bring him into the organization.
The 21-year-old winger, who had been playing in the KHL before coming over to North America to play in the Toronto Maple Leafs' organization, will start his Flyers tenure with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms—once he secures his U.S. work visa, that is.
"I'm in Toronto, training on my own and waiting for my visa," he said. "Hopefully, I can get to Philadelphia by the end of the week."
For now, it's a waiting game. But when Grebenkin does arrive, he'll be stepping into a Flyers organization that has embraced a fast, structured, and hardworking style of play—one that should suit his game well.
Finding His Footing in North America
The transition from Russia to the NHL isn’t always smooth. Grebenkin arrived in Toronto this season as part of the Maple Leafs’ system, knowing that the adjustment to smaller ice, a different pace of play, and a language barrier would all be challenges. Fortunately, he wasn’t alone.
Veterans like Max Domi, William Nylander, and Ryan Reaves took him under their wing early on, making sure he felt comfortable in his new surroundings.
“They helped me with communication and spent a lot of time with me at the start of the season,” Grebenkin said. “They understood that it wasn’t easy for me and supported me.”
That support system helped him navigate the transition, and while he wasn’t able to fully crack the Leafs’ lineup (he played seven NHL games before getting sent back down), he showed flashes of his potential in the AHL. Now, with a fresh start in the Flyers’ organization, he’ll have the opportunity to prove himself again.
It’s easy to see why Philadelphia was interested in him. At 6-foot-2, Grebenkin has size, skill, and a strong hockey IQ. He plays with a patient, methodical approach—he’s not the fastest skater, but he reads the ice well, makes smart plays in the offensive zone, and has strong puck-protection skills.
The Flyers have built a reputation under John Tortorella and Danny Brière for valuing players who work hard and think the game at a high level, and Grebenkin will have the chance to show he fits that mold.
A Familiar Face in Philadelphia
Starting out in Lehigh Valley will give Grebenkin time to adjust to a new system, but he won’t be coming into the Flyers’ organization completely blind. He already has a connection with defenseman Egor Zamula, and more notably, with Matvei Michkov—arguably the Flyers’ most exciting young talent.
“I played with Matvei on the national team,” Grebenkin said. “He’s from Perm, and we’ve known each other since childhood. I know what kind of athlete and person he is, and I hope he wins the Calder Trophy over Lane Hutson and the other contenders.”
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov (39) during warmups against the Washington Capitals on Feb. 6, 2025. (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
Michkov’s immediate success with the Flyers has been one of the biggest storylines of the season, and Grebenkin is fully aware of his longtime friend’s talent. If and when he gets his own shot in the NHL, he’ll have someone he can lean on who understands exactly what it’s like to adjust to a new league, a new culture, and a new way of life in Philadelphia.
He’s already spoken with Danny Brière, which signals that the Flyers’ front office has a plan for him. Right now, the focus is on getting him to Lehigh Valley, but if he continues developing and impressing at the AHL level, he could become an interesting piece in the Flyers’ long-term plans.
More Than Just a Meme
Of course, many North American fans first became familiar with Grebenkin not because of his play, but because of a viral interview moment in which he stated that the Leafs had taught him that the three most important English words for him to know were "backcheck, forecheck, and paycheck."
The quote took off on social media, and before long, Grebenkin had unwittingly become the subject of an internet meme. But while he appreciates the humor, he’d prefer to be known for what he does on the ice, not just for one funny line.
“It’s a little frustrating that people know me more for that line than for my actual game,” he admitted. “I’d rather be recognized for my play than for jokes.”
Fair enough. Now, he’ll have the chance to rewrite that narrative. The Flyers didn’t trade for him because of his ability to deliver hilarious postgame sound bites—they traded for him because they saw potential in his game.
If things go right, Grebenkin could carve out a meaningful role in the organization, whether that’s as a depth scorer or something more. He has the size, skill, and intelligence to make an impact.
For now, he waits. But soon enough, Nikita Grebenkin will arrive in Philadelphia. And then, it’ll be up to him to prove that he’s more than just a name in a trade transaction—he’s a player with something to offer.
-1738807790-q80.webp "'Good Possibility' Mitch Marner Returns To Maple Leafs Lineup Against Kraken, Anthony Stolarz May Also Return")
-1738259951-q80.webp "Josh Inglis Scripts History For Australia, Misses Shikhar Dhawan's Record By Whisker")