Nikita Grebenkin Has a Message for the Toronto Maple Leafs After Being Traded

Scott Laughton is a player that the Toronto Maple Leafs had their eyes on for weeks so it should come as no surprise that they pulled the trigger on him at the trade deadline.

In the end, it came at the expense of a 2027 first-round pick as well as Toronto Marlies prospect Nikita Grebenkin who got to play seven games with the Maple Leafs this season.

Now, Grebenkin will likely be assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL where he will try to develop his game even more.

The former Maple Leafs prospect had zero points in his seven games with the team, however, he was a gritty player who injected a ton of personality into the lineup.

While his ceiling in the NHL was likely going to be a third-line depth winger, he was still someone that the fans and his teammates loved.

Following the trade, Grebenkin took to social media where he posted a simple message, saying "Thank you Toronto."

As for Scott Laughton, he is a player who can come into this team and play right away as the third-line center.

He has 11 goals and 27 assists this season which isn't bad when you consider how he has been stuck on a bad Philadelphia Flyers team that doesn't generate a ton of offense.

As for Nikita Grebenkin, you cannot help but wish the kid well. We hope his NHL career pans out and he gets more opportunities to shine.

For now, however, fans are more focused on Laughton and whether or not he gets this Maple Leafs team over the hump with the playoffs on the horizon.