Nikita Grebenkin’s philosophy about playing in the National Hockey League was to the point.
And the 21-year-old Maple Leafs rookie made a good point.
Though the Russian winger continues to get a grip on the English language, he didn’t need any help explaining his hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Wyatt Kaiser in the final seconds of the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 victory on Monday.
Kaiser didn’t like that Grebenkin knocked him to the ice behind the Chicago net and a scrum ensued as the game came to a close.
Never mind the score. Grebenkin, skating among the Leafs depth forwards with numerous teammates injured, will play until the final horn. There shouldn’t be an issue with that approach.
“Last second, game not done,” Grebenkin said on Tuesday. “I play, you play. Don’t stop. Don’t relax. You play NHL. You understand.
“I kill you, you kill me. It’s business. No problem.”
Grebenkin didn’t record a point through his first five games in the NHL and was minus-1 in each of his past three, but the Leafs’ fifth-round pick in 2022 has been credited with 11 hits and is on the right side of the ledger with coach Craig Berube.
The positive impression started in training camp and the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Grebenkin kept it going with the Toronto Marlies, recording 10 points (four goals and six assists) in 13 games before being recalled.
“He doesn’t take any time off, that guy,” Berube said. “He’s a hard-working kid. He has a real good future.
“I like his grit, his determination that he plays with. Now, there’s a lot to learn. He’s a young guy and hasn’t played a lot of pro (in North America). He’s learning on the fly, and he’s strong. He’s a big guy that’s strong on the puck. He just has to learn the game.”
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