Grebenkin Among 3 Maple Leafs Prospects Getting Extended Look at Training Camp
Nikita Grebenkin listed among 3 Maple Leafs prospects who are receiving an extended look during training camp ahead of next wave of roster cuts.
With the Maple Leafs having played 4 of their 6 pre-season games, training camp is beginning to wind down as the team looks to solidify the roster for the 2024-25 campaign. A large wave of cuts is expected to occur this week, perhaps even as early as today.
The Leafs were back at practice on Monday after a day off on Sunday, following a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at The Bell Centre. The team only listed one main practice group, though several injured players did also skate on a separate pad on Monday. Somewhat unsurprisingly, 3 prospects are getting a longer look in camp as we approach the team's final two pre-season contests.
According to NHL.com's Dave McCarthy, Easton Cowan, Nikita Grebenkin and Marshall Rifai will be sticking around with the main group beyond this next wave of cuts.
Cowan admittedly started camp a bit slow and tentative, but has looked better and better as camp as worn on. Grebenkin is a bit of a different story, having started camp as a very noticeable piece, thanks in part to a very entertaining fight in his pre-season debut, but has sort of slipped into the background a bit following a quieter week for him.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is 26-year-old Marshall Rifai, who has seemingly improved this summer, expanding on the very useful skill set he brought to the table that earned him a brief look in the NHL last season. The 6'2, 205-pound defenseman has a real mean streak to him, which was evident in his tilt with Montreal's Juraj Slafkovsky on Saturday. Rifai famously dropped Slafkovsky with one punch after the former 1st overall pick had grabbed a fistful of his hair during their scrap.
The Leafs have two games left on the docket, as previously mentioned -- a Thursday night clash with the Detroit Red Wings, followed by another meeting with those same Wings on Saturday. Look for these 3 to continue to battle as they look to make life difficult for Leafs GM Brad Treliving and force his hand, perhaps leading to a trade to potentially open up a roster spot with the Leafs. It's highly unlikely that all 3 will make the final cut, but for one lucky competitor, there may be an NHL job awaiting him this season.
