Leafs Prospect Nikita Grebenkin Drops the Gloves and Fires Up the Crowd After Thrilling Fight

The Maple Leafs opened their pre-season against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday evening at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and, boy, was this one all fireworks.

While the Leafs lost a razor-close 6-5 overtime decision to the Sens at home, the game provided plenty of entertainment value for the fans, including this sensational tilt between Grebenkin and Gaudette.

Leafs head coach Craig Berube had mentioned that he was very intrigued by Grebenkin earlier this week, which could perhaps open the door for the feisty winger to step in and steal a roster spot with the Maple Leafs out of training camp.

Of course, there's a lot of time between now and the end of the pre-season for others to prove that they deserve a spot just a much. It should be an interesting few weeks ahead.

For Grebenkin, it will be important to keep his foot on the gas pedal and continue to try and influence the games he finds himself dressing for in any way that he can, whether it be with his skating, his positioning, his physicality or his offense. It could be the difference between starting his season in the American Hockey League and starting his season in the National Hockey League.