Maple Leafs' Top Prospect Acknowledges Taking Playoff Painkillers

Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect Nikita Grebyonkin has shed light on the grueling realities of playoff hockey, to the extent he's revealed to take painkillers to keep playing through the Russian KHL playoffs.

The 21-year-old forward, who played for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Gagarin Cup last season, with his team emerging victorious, spoke about the physical toll that postseason hockey takes on players and the widespread use of painkillers to manage injuries.

In an interview shared by Hockey News Hub on X, formerly known as Twitter , Grebyonkin, drafted No. 135 overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2022 NHL draft, disclosed that he was battling significant injuries to his lower body and shoulder throughout the playoff run last season in Russia.

“I wasn’t the only one who played in the playoffs while taking painkillers and risking my health,” Grebyonkin said. “Many of our guys had serious injuries. Everyone was determined to win. Although the pills helped to numb the pain, it wasn’t complete relief. My shoulder was aching, but the main injury was in my lower body.”

Grebyonkin’s admission, while honest and candid, exposed one of the darker sides of the sport, as players seem to be willing to put their careers (and health) on the line in order to win.

Since signing his entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs this summer, Grebyonkin has focused on recovery, working closely with Toronto’s medical staff.

“I’m currently in the recovery process," he said. "In Toronto, the coaches and medical staff are watching me closely. They give me constant guidance on training, provide nutrition advice, and tell me what to avoid. All I can focus on right now is practicing and getting back in shape. The main thing is that everything is fine with my health.”

While still not quite there in terms of NHL readiness, Grebyonkin is set to join the Leafs' AHL affiliate Marlies in the 2024-25 season.

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