Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers Locker Room: Grebenkin’s Fight Displays Flyers Culture
During the Philadelphia Flyers’ 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken on Monday, Nikita Grebenkin made a bit of a surpise, dropping the gloves with Kraken defenseman Cale Fleury.
The Flyers’ rookie is not a starnger to fighting, but it’s not something he does oftern. On his record, he dropped the gloves once with the Maple Leafs. Grebenkin also fought while on the Phantoms last season.
As a rookie, especially one not known for fighting, it’s rare to see a fight. For Nikita Grebenkin, he stepped in for his vet, Garnet Hathawaty.
Hathaway has been the verteran presence playing with the Flyers’ two rookies, Grebenkin and Jett Luchanko, on that fourth line. Fleury made an awkward hit up high on Hathaway, so the Flyers’ rook stepped in.
The fight was not long. Grebenkin was able to fit in a couple of jabs before taking Fleury to the ice, then firing up the Xfinity Mobile Arena crowd.
Fighting comes with penalty minutes, but those are the penalties teams love to kill.
“Yeah, we’ll kill those kind of penalties,” Flyers’ captain Sean Couturier said. “Not sure he’s ever fought before. It’s nice to see that he cares about his teamates, and is willing to do that.”
Grebenkin was not only given the five minute major for fighting, but also earned himself a 10-minute misconduct for instigating the fight. Sticking up for his teammate was more important.
“We’re not preaching fighting, but we’re trying to create a cluture of sticking together,” head coach RIck Tocchet said after the game.
Grebenkin stepping in for Hathaway is one of many examples of Flyers’ stepping in for their teammates. Matvei Michkov tried to fight earlier in the season after Travis Konecny was hit high. Konecny himself stepped in for Owen Tippett on Monday.
While fighting is not always the way to show it, the Flyers have certainly built a strong culture of caring.
Read More: Flyers Show Fight, Dominate Seattle in 5-2 Win Monday Night
Watch: Nikita Grebenkin Fight vs. Cale Fleury
Read More: Is Michkov’s Lack of Ice Time Early Cause for Concern?
Nikita first to care and first to fight…urgent care.
I know Grebenkin got the extra two minutes for being the instigator, but I thought the 10 minute misconduct was likely for the couple of extra punches to the head he gave after he had the Seattle player down on the ice.
No. The 10 minute misconduct is automatic with an instigation penalty.
Earlier Leafs’ scouting report on Grebenkin:
January 2025 – Watching Grebenkin last season in the KHL, it seemed like he could be the Leafs’ most NHL-ready prospect. Grebenkin may still need a little more fleshing out after seven pointless games with Toronto, but in the AHL, he’s showcasing the same strong offensive and effort level with the Marlies he did in Russia. Plays a smooth offensive game while having the strength to execute on defense and win puck battles. Showing his skill in transition as well as being a puck mover. Grebenkin might not be a top-six forward, but the pro upside is there to be a middle-six, two-way option. Austin Kelly
March 2024 – Grebenkin wrapped up his first full KHL season with 19 goals and 41 points in 67 games played. His season points-per-game rate of 0.61 ranks 14th all-time for 20-year-old players in the KHL. Curtis Rines
January 2024 – Grebenkin is shaping up to be a potential late-round steal for Toronto. The Russian winger has 14 goals and 31 points this season in 54 KHL contests. For a 20-year-old, it is pretty impressive. With the puck skills and overall hockey IQ, Grebenkin has all the potential in the world to become a future top-six winger for the Maple Leafs. Curtis Rines
William’s numerous examples of Flyers who dropped their gloves makes Deslauriers expendable. Hopefully he is traded soon by DB or is waived.