Maple Leafs prospect comes forward with serious allegations about his former KHL team's handling of his health
After three KHL seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs decided it was time for Nikita Grebyonkin to join the organization and in doing so, they may have saved his career.
A fifth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the 21-year-old winger signed his entry-level contract with the Leafs in April of this year.
Shortly after signing his ELC, Grebyonkin made the long trek across the Atlantic to Toronto where he has spent the summer training in preparation for training camp. Recently, the 6'2, 192-pound winger sat down with RG.org and reflected on his final season, revealing that he played through the playoffs with a very serious injury, admitting to the enlisting help of heavy painkillers to get through.
Painkillers have become somewhat of an issue in the NHL given the number of past and current players that have publicly commented on becoming addicted to them in order to play and save their jobs.
Playing in the KHL is a different animal, however, and if Grebyonkin wasn't using them, he likely would have lost his place in the lineup. The Leafs like to keep a close eye on their prospects regardless of where they play, but it is certainly easier to do if they are in Toronto and the Leafs have full control over their training and medical needs as Grebyonkin said.
Source: Elite Prospects
Nikita Grebyonkin stats and bio
| POLL | ||
AOUT 17 | 1311 ANSWERS Maple Leafs prospect comes forward with serious allegations about his former KHL team's handling of his health What is your expectation for Grebyonkin this season? | ||
| Top-six | 75 | 5.7 % |
| Bottom-six | 343 | 26.2 % |
| Marlies | 524 | 40 % |
| Don't know enough about him | 369 | 28.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
