The Toronto Maple Leafs pulled the trigger on trade deadline, sending winger Nikita Grebenkin and a 2027 first-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for center Scott Laughton. But before packing his bags for Philly, Grebenkin took to Instagram and shared a farewell post, reminiscing about his time in Toronto.
Among the snapshots was a wholesome moment with Leafs star Max Domi, who wasted no time sharing it on his own story.
Domi also left a parting message that had Leafs Nation tearing up:
“Philly got a good one. Good luck, brother!” Domi wrote, before adding a Russian Good Luck wish: “Удачи @greba71_“—a classy touch for his now-former teammate.
Maple Leafs’ last moment trades
While Nikita Grebenkin’s departure stings, he wasn’t the only one on the move. In a flurry of transactions, the Leafs also dealt Conor Timmins and Connor Dewar to the Penguins to balance their salary cap. And to land defenseman Brandon Carlo, Toronto sent young talent Fraser Minten packing to Boston.
General Manager Brad Treliving acknowledged the tough decisions, admitting that letting go of a player like Grebenkin wasn’t easy:
“I said to him, you know, more backcheck and there’ll be a greater paycheck,” Treliving quipped.
Grebenkin may have only suited up for seven NHL games in blue and white, but his relentless energy made him an instant fan favorite. His 39-game stint with the AHL’s Marlies saw him rack up nine goals and 21 points—enough to make an impression.
In case you missed it: Maple Leafs on the Hunt: Could Scott Mayfield be the Big Trade Deadline Move? Or is it Rantanen?
What’s Next for Nikita Grebenkin?
Flyers GM Daniel Briere seems eager to unlock Grebenkin’s potential, praising his size, strength, and competitiveness:
“He’s big-bodied and strong on the puck. He can make plays. What we were told is he needs to work within a structure.”
That structure? The Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where Grebenkin will sharpen his game before making his mark in Philly.
While Leafs fans will miss their high-energy winger, they can take solace in one thing—Max Domi and Leafs Nation will be cheering for Grebenkin from afar.
Would you have kept Nikita Grebenkin or made the trade for Laughton? Let us know!