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Maple Leafs Sign 21-Year-Old to ELC

The Toronto Maple Leafs are proud to announce they sign their prospect Nikita Grebyonkin to his three-year, entry-level contract (ELC). The 21-year-old had a strong season for Metallurg Magnitogorsk en route to the KHL’s Gagarin Cup championship. According to CapFriendly, the deal sees an average annual value of $950,000. Furthermore, the contract takes effect immediately, so he is eligible to join the club.

Leafs Russian Prospect Nikita Grebyonkin Does Sign His ELC

Grebyonkin was a fifth round pick by the Leafs back in 2022. Moreover, he did well to progress through the junior ranks and settle into the top club in Magnitogorsk. This was his second full KHL season under his belt, and he ended it in style with a championship. This year in the KHL, in 67 games, he had 19 goals and 22 assists. Also, he contributed six points through 23 playoff games. To be a contributor at a young age in the KHL is significant, and the Leafs liked it enough to ink him to this deal.

What Does This Mean for the Leafs

This signing does give the Leafs more options in terms of personnel for the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. However, with the club down three-games-to-one to the Boston Bruins, it might not much matter. With the AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, just knocked out of Calder Cup playoff action, if Grebyonkin is to lace them up here in the spring of 2024, it would be with the Leafs. As unlikely as it seems, with the Leafs unpredictable lineup distribution, who knows what Head Coach Sheldon Keefe might try for a shakeup. Injecting a player with KHL playoff experience isn’t a bad option. It was hoped their current players would perform, but they need to keep in mind they need to outperform their opponents. Being good enough, is never good enough this time of the year.

Main photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Levi Pike, Editor

Levi Pike, Editor

Levi Pike is an editor and writer here at Last Word on Hockey. He has lived all over Canada but grew up in Nanaimo, BC. Currently, he lives with his loving wife, three kids, and dog in the capital of the Easterly most province of Canada, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. He’s passionate about hockey, in particular, the Ottawa Senators and statistics. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Statistics at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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