Leafs Notes: Grebenkin making noise as camp enters new phase

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We haven’t heard much from Nikita Grebenkin through rookie camp and four days of the main Buds’ bivouac, given his limited English.

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But you could see plenty of him this season, starting with an NHL exhibition debut sometime this week, a reward for some eye-catching efforts. Even before Leafs general manager Brad Treliving’s opening day challenge to youngsters to show him something that would elevate them over a veteran by opening night, Grebenkin was impressive on a line with Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten.

When Minten hurt his ankle a week ago in Montreal in a game against the Habs’ prospects, the trio was dispersed, Grebenkin getting a primetime spot on the right with Max Pacioretty and Pontus Holmberg. New coach Craig Berube, who has put a premium on fast and furious this week, likes the way the 6-foot-1 Grebenkin has knocked a few big men on their duff while creating scoring chances.

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“Very noticeable for me, a big, strong kid, first and foremost,” Berube said of Grebenkin. “A good hockey IQ and not afraid to take the body.”

Grebenkin arrives two years after being drafted 135th overall, blossoming with 41 points in 67 games as part of Magnitogorsk’s KHL championship last season. To overcome the cultural divide, he’s crammed in some language lessons while development coach Nik Antropov is doing some translating. But the Leafs have tried to put Grebenkin in social situations where he must fend for himself rather than hold his hand as he acclimatizes.

SPEAKING OF WHICH …

The irony is Grebenkin getting some assistance in communication skills from Holmberg, who unlike most Swedes, struggled with English since he arrived on the Marlies in 2022. Holmberg has taken a few classes, but started watching movies and TV and mimicking dialogue to speed up his process.

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 “The Office, a very funny show,” Holmberg said.

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 He is lapping up everything he can from league warhorse Pacioretty, while trying to set the table for he and Grebenkin. Holmberg has doggedly tried to stay in the full-time roster picture, with 17 points in 54 games last year, knowing the talent the Leafs have imported during the summer. With the new coach to impress, he increased summer practice schedule from two or three a week to a full five days.

“I feel better on the ice and have more power in the gym,” he added.

SICK LIST SHORTENS 

There is better news on the injury front as the Leafs begin a second week of camp.

Free agent defenceman Jani Hakanpaa should be able to join contact practices to test a knee injury that sidelined him since last March with the Dallas Stars. He’s begun in the club’s third workout group comprised of prospects and farmhands.

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Also appearing there Saturday was first round pick Ben Danford, wearing no-contact red, as the Oshawa Generals defenceman works through a concussion from a rough rookie camp scrimmage last week.

Forwards Steven Lorentz and Kyle Clifford are both out day-to-day with upper-body injuries.

Meanwhile, the Leafs made their first cuts on Saturday. Junior forwards Sam McCue (Owen Sound), F Maxim Muranov (Calgary), F Miroslav Holinka, Marshall Finnie (Edmonton) and defenceman Nathan Mayes (Spokane) were sent home. Holinka, McCue, Mayes were all 2024 draft picks.

FAME IN THE GAME 

The 2024 Ontario Sports Hall of Fame inductions will have some hockey and Leaf content — relatively speaking.

Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly’s wife, Tessa Virtue, is in the class with her champion figure skating partner Scott Moir, while John Tavares, uncle of the Leafs winger, is being honoured for his many lacrosse accomplishments.

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Hockey Hall of Famer Geraldine Heaney from North York is also among the seven individual inductees, with broadcaster Brian Williams, CFLer Neil Lumsden, track star Derek Drouin and racquetballer Mike Ceresia. Toronto Star sports columnist Rosie DiManno, who is covering her 50th Leaf camp this week, is getting the Williams’ journalism award.

The dominating 1973 Memorial Cup champion Toronto Marlboroughs are receiving the ‘Moment In History Award’, having sent a number of stars on to the NHL such as Mark Howe and Leafs’ Bruce Boudreau and Mike Palmateer.

Those interested in tickets, a corporate table or to donate to the OSHOF’s Youth Athletic and Academic scholarships for the Oct. 17 event at the Airport Marriott, can go to ontariosportshalloffame.com.

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X: @sunhornby

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