Grebenkin has appeared in five games for the Maple Leafs this season, still in search of his first career NHL point.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nikita Grebenkin has made a lot of positive noise drawing back to training camp and the preseason, leading to his NHL call-up after injuries depleted the team’s roster.

Five games into his young career, the 21-year-old has already made headlines with his tenacious playstyle, unique approach, and mentality to the NHL. Near the end of the club’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, Grebenkin made his presence felt with a heavy hit on defenseman Wyatt Kaiser in the final seconds of a game Toronto led comfortably by three goals.

While others might ease off in the dying moments, Grebenkin showed no signs of backing down. When asked about the incident, his response made it clear that he’ll compete until the final buzzer, regardless of the score – and that shouldn’t be frowned upon at the NHL level.

“Last second, game not done. I play. You play. Don’t stop. Don’t relax. You play NHL, you understand. I kill you. You kill me. It’s business. No problem,” said Grebenkin.

It’s his first season in the Toronto system, playing 13 games for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, scoring 10 points (4G, 6A) before being called up to the big leagues. Drafted by the club in the fifth round (135th overall) in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the Serov, Russia native is still chasing his first NHL point.

Through five games, he remains a minus-3, but his physicality – credited with 11 hits – has caught the eye of fellow enforcer Ryan Reaves, who is set to potentially return on a line with Grebenkin after serving a five-game suspension.

The 37-year-old even mentioned a possible ‘tandem’ between him and the young forward.

“He’s been great. He’s played physical. He’s been getting to the net. He’s had some chances. So, you know, it’s been fun to watch him come up and play for a couple of games. I think it’s going to be a nice tandem,” said Reaves on Tuesday.

Grebenkin spent the previous two seasons in the KHL with the Khabarovsk Amur (2022-23) and the Magnitogorsk Metallurg (2023-24). Though a small sample size, his late-game check on Kaiser is a testament to his never-quit attitude that resonates with general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube’s gritty identity.

“He doesn’t take any time off, that guy. He’s a hard-working kid,” said Berube following Tuesday’s practice. “I think he’s got a real good future. I do. I like his grit and the determination that he plays with.”

“Now, there’s a lot to learn. He’s a young guy and hasn’t played a lot of pro over here. So he’s learning on the way, learning on the fly. And he’s strong. He’s a big guy, strong on the puck.”