Philadelphia Flyers
James: Grebenkin Needs More Games
Nikita Grebenkin was a pleasant surprise out of training camp, pushing for, and making the Flyers NHL roster.
Grebenkin has looked good in what action he has had this season. Of course, he has made rookie mistakes. But, is it worth him missing multiple games at a time?
It looks as if Grebenkin is set to miss his second game in a row, with the Flyers announcing no lineup changes, and Ersson in goal.
The 22-year-old Russian winger has been a healthy scratch in five of the Flyers’ 16 games. Nick Deslauriers will stay in the lineup after drawing in for Grebenkin Wednesday vs. the Oilers.
Grebenkin obviously has plenty of room for improvement in his young game, which is expected with developing players. Is missing too many games hurting that development?
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Grebenkin brings more to the lineup than Deslauriers
This is not a shot at Nick Deslauriers, who absolutely deserves to be in the NHL. Instead, this is about Nikita Grebenkin, and the need to find him more NHL time.
The Flyers have been a low-event team this season. They don’t score many goals, but also don’t allow many. Grebenkin is the perfect type of player for these games.
He is aggressive along the boards. The Flyers’ young winger is aggressive in puck battles, and wins them. In all honestly, when playing, he is one of the better puck battlers on the team.
Grebenkin also possesses much more skill. Whether that be quicker hands, a better shot, or even just being a more smooth skater than Deslauriers, the 22-year-old can bring much more to the game.
He has also shown flashing of his scoring, scoring a goal and having two assists in his 11 games this season.
Lastly, Grebenkin is still very much developing. A game to sit in the press box and watch is not a bad thing. However, there is such thing as too many, and we have reached that point with Grebenkin.
Sitting for too long can and will stunt his development. Rick Tocchet has said multiple times that he needs to find more time for Nikita Grebenkin. Sitting him is not the way.
While Nick Deslauriers absolutely deserves to get games, Nikita Grebenkin should not be sitting for multiple games at a time.
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I couldn’t agree more. With Deslauriers you know what you have. A physical presence that is going to hit everything on the ice and stick up for his teammates. With Grebenkin there’s more of an offensive upside that needs to be nurtured. This team is lacking offense, goals, and pucks on net more than it is lacking toughness. I’d like to see Grebenkin getting 75% of the starts over Deslauriers so he can be better evaluated.
Deli is muscle and fists. Grebenkin is a hockey player with potential
Send Nik G for a 10 game stint with the Phantoms…..give him so steady ice time…..then bring him up again.
Not happy about this at all. I don’t dislike Nick D but this is a developmental year – Grebenkin needs to play. This was my concern with the hiring of Tochett, old time hockey rules….Of course Grebenkin will make mistakes, he’s learning on the fly. I don’t think he deserves to be demoted – it’s not like the big team is packed with rookies, are the Flyers going to emulate the Phillies, no one comes until they are 25, while journeymen populate the big club
Deslauriers should be in the press box or down on the Phantoms. He plays 5-7 minutes a night and other than an occasional hit and a fight, he brings NOTHING to the game. Grebenkin needs to play either with the Flyers or the Phantoms. Sitting him in place of Deslauriers is pure madness. Deslauriers is taking up the space that should be occupied by a young player learning the game in the NHL. Grebenkin has already shown he is an upgrade to Deslauriers.