'This Kid's Got The Potential To Do That Stuff': Maple Leafs See Similarities Between Matthew Tkachuk And Nikita Grebenkin As Prospect Prepares For NHL Debut

Nikita Grebenkin will make his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.

It's been a fascinating road for the 21-year-old forward, who came over from Russia this past summer after putting up 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points in 67 games with Magnitogorsk in the KHL.

Toronto selected Grebenkin as an overage prospect in the fifth round (135th overall) during the 2022 NHL Draft. Two years later, one of the Maple Leafs' diamonds in the rough gets to skate in his first NHL game.

"I feel perfect," Grebenkin said on Wednesday morning, with a gigantic smile. "Let's go work today."

The young forward has had this goal since he was seven years old. And over the years, he's enjoyed watching Matthew Tkachuk, one of the NHL's most irritating and skilled players.

"Every time I see video, it's strong guy, nice skill, and mentally strong. Playoff guy," Grebenkin said. "Tkachuk play playoff and play season. Every time, score goal, nice game and better and better every time. I like him."

Related: 'New Heavy In Town, I Love That': Nikita Grebenkin Leaves Strong Impression on Fans and Maple Leafs Amid Pre-Season Loss to Senators

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked about it on Wednesday after the team's morning skate. Toronto's bench boss smiled and answered, saying he'd be "very happy" if Grebenkin could model his game after Tkachuk's.

"I think he watches a guy like Matthew, and listen, he's not watching the other stuff that he does that [Tkachuk's] great at. All the extra curricular activities. It's the net, it's around the net, being strong at the net, the little plays that he makes around the net," Berube added.

"That's why he's such a great player and this kid's got the potential to do that stuff. He's got good hands in tight and he's big and strong and he's got jam."

Grebenkin had a strong training camp with the Maple Leafs before getting sent to the Toronto Marlies. Since going to the AHL, the forward has been a key part of the team's 8-1-2-2 start.

He's played every game for the Marlies this season, scoring four goals and six assists for 10 points. Grebenkin has lined up alongside fellow Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten over the last five games after the forward returned from a high-ankle sprain.

"He's really good when he has the puck and he's competitive. He's always wanting to make stuff happen and hold himself to a high standard, so he's really fun to play with," Minten said earlier this week.

Minten will make his season debut with the Maple Leafs after Toronto placed David Kampf on injured reserve (and now on long-term injured reserve) on Tuesday morning.

The Maple Leafs didn't go through line rushes on Wednesday, so it's unknown whether Minten and Grebenkin will be linemates. Nevertheless, the young Russian forward makes his NHL debut against the Golden Knights, and it'll be fascinating to watch.

"He's a big guy. He's strong on pucks, he's physical, he's got good size. That's your game and use that to your advantage," Berube said of the message to Grebenkin ahead of his NHL debut.

"Just be smart with pucks. Be simple. and smart and use your size in the offensive zone and your strength on the puck and I think get your shots off and get to the net, and be responsible defensively. That's the biggest thing I tell all these guys is, you gotta be responsible defensively."