Denis Grebeshkov

2006-07 Update: March 1, 2007: Denis Grebeshkov went scoreless in 3 games played for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv up until the date of February 18, 2007. Grebeshkov was traded by the Islanders to the Edmonton Oilers on February 18, 2007 in exchange for defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron and a 2008 third round draft pick. He was held scoreless in the next 4 games with Lokomotiv following the deal. Lokomotiv posted a record of 4-2-1 in February. In his career as an Islander, Grebeshkov recorded 3 assists in 21 games played during the 2005-06 season following his acquisition from the Los Angeles Kings.

February 1, 2007: Denis Grebeshkov scored 3 goals in 7 games played for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv during the month of January. He had a 3 game goal scoring streak from Jan. 18th to the 23rd. Yaroslavl won all three games vs. Sibir(4-1), at Khimik(4-2), and vs. Metallurg(3-0). His goal against Sibir was the game-winner and against Khimik he recorded the first goal of the game on the power play. Grebeshkov has now set career highs with Yaroslavl in goals with 6 and points with 12. Yaroslavl posted a record of 5-2-0 during the month of January, winning their last 4 games starting with Grebeshkov's goal scoring streak.

January 1, 2007: Denis Grebeshkov recorded an assist in 3 games played for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv during the month of December. Lokomotiv only played three games during the month as the RSL was on break from Nov. 28th to Dec. 20th. His assist came on Dec. 27th in a 3-2 win at Dynamo Moscow.

December 1, 2006: Denis Grebeshkov was named to Team Russia for the recent Karjala Cup Tournament, which took place in Finland during November. He recorded an assist on November 9th in a 3-2 win over Finland. He also recorded an assist in a 5-4 win over Sweden on November 11th. Below is a recap of his actions during the Championship game against the Czech Republic on November 12th. Grebeshkov was suspended for 5 games in September for throwing an NHL calibre hit on a Soviet Wings player. You can read more about that below also. Grebeshkov has scored 3 goals in 23 games with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv this season. They are as follows: 9/19 in a 5-4 win vs. the Soviet Wings, the game tying goal in a 1-1 tie on 10/9 vs. Mettalurg, and 11/17 in a 6-2 win at the Soviet Wings.

2006-07 Highlights

* Named first star with 2 assists in 5-3 win at Amur November 15, 2006.
* Named third star with a goal (GW) in 4-1 win vs. Sibir January 18, 2007.

2006 Karjala Cup (Finals: Russia vs. Czech Republic)
November 2006 - Championship Game

1st Period: 6:40 - Denis Grebeshkov brought the puck up ice, but had trouble finding a target for a pass in the offensive zone, though finally released the puck with a nice feed towards the net. The forward could do little with the puck and it ended up bouncing back out to Grebeshkov, who rifled it again towards the net, though this time the shot was deflected to the side.

11:10 - Denis Grebeshkov one timed a great feed from the right boards in the offensive zone to Petr Schastlivy, who was alone at the opponent's crease. Schastlivy was unable to beat the Czech goalie at point blank range.

3rd Period: 39:05 Denis Grebeshkov does not hesitate to join in on the offensive, skating into the opponent's zone with the forwards on an odd man rush, but the pass from Simakov did not get to him as he was crashing the net.

excerpt from Patience pays off for Islanders
by Shane Malloy, foxsports.com, Oct. 18, 2006

Dennis Grebeshkov, Defense, 23 (first round, 18th overall pick in 2002, acquired via trade with Los Angeles in 2006) currently with Yaroslavl (RUS)

Grebeshkov seems to be in the mold of the kind of defenseman organizations are trying to acquire with the new rules NHL, where speed and skill are a premium. He certainly is not a big, powerful blueliner at 6-foot and 200 pounds, but he is tough, fearless and has a solid work ethic, which will take him far. His skating and puck movement will be a welcome addition to the transition game and the power play where he can be most effective. In his brief stint on the Island, he did a fine job adjusting to the pace in his 21 games. He certainly earned his stripes in the AHL over the past three seasons. In 166 games he racked up 85 points with 180 penalty minutes.

Denis Grebeshkov (New York Islanders) suspended for NHL caliber hit
Sept. 23, 2006

Denis Grebeshkov (New York Islanders) was suspended for a hit he made on a young Soviet Wings forward and former rated prospect Alexander Goroshansky. Grebeshkov met the forward when the latter was skating into the zone with the puck, but also with his head down. The resulting impact was unexpected from Goroshansky side and resulted in the 86 born forward laying on the ice for several minutes unconscious before a stretcher was brought over to carry him off the ice. The resulting injury included a concussion and a broken jaw. The replays showed that the hit was clean and legal by NHL standards, but considering the resulting injury and the difference in rules between the NHL and the Russian Super League, it was deemed illegal and Grebeshkov was given a match penalty. He was then suspended for a single game, but the suspension was recently expanded to five games after further review and the surfacing of the seriousness of the injury to Goroshansky. Goroshansky is expected to make a full recovery in two to three months.

NHL and Russia angry over player battles
Aug. 23, 2006

(CP) - While Evgeni Malkin's flight to the NHL has incensed Russian hockey officials, some NHL executives are growing hot under the collar at watching their players abandon North America for greener pastures in Russia.

Already the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders have lost three players to Russia this summer. Mark Gandler, the agent who represents those players, says Russia is an attractive option for "young, vibrant talent which is not properly treated (by NHL teams)."

Winger Eugeni Artukhin rejected Tampa's last offer and has signed on for more money in his native Russia. The same goes for Russian defenceman Denis Grebeshkov and Finnish winger Sean Bergenheim of the Islanders.

All three will earn more money this season playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

"In Russia the taxes are 13 per cent, so it's relatively speaking tax-free," explained Gandler, whose firm International Sports Advisors has some 25 NHL players, half of them Russian. "They also usually have bonuses on top of everything, a free apartment, a free car, basically perks."

All three are restricted free agents in the NHL, which means the Lightning and Islanders have no legal recourse compared to Metallurg Magnitogorsk, the Russian club threatening to sue the NHL because it says Malkin is under contract with them.

That Artukhin, Grebeshkov and Bergenheim are Gandler's clients is just a coincidence, the agent said from his New Jersey office. He vehemently denies the rumour that he was getting a cut from Russian league clubs to deliver them NHL players.

"What I have a problem with is people thinking that I would take a bona fide NHL player and place him in Russia and basically hurt him and his career for personal gain," said Gandler. "I don't deserve that after 16 years in the business."

As for Grebeshkov, the 22-year-old wasn't offered a one-way deal.

"Denis did not want to sign a two-way deal," said Gandler. "So the Islanders have lost a first-round pick (18th overall by the Kings in 2002) because for whatever reason they decided they didn't want to pay him one-way money."

Said Snow: "Denis is a good prospect who took what he thought was a better opportunity to play at home for a year. We wish him well and hope to see him back here soon."

Islanders' Denis Grebeshkov Signs With Lokomotiv
July 10, 2006

New York Islanders defenseman Denis Grebeshkov, a restricted free agent who had been given a qualifying offer by the Islanders, has instead signed a contract to play with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Russian Super League, according to a report-- quoting Lokomotiv GM Yuri Lukin-- that was posted earlier today on the Sport Express web site.

The 22-year-old Grebeshkov, a native of Yaroslavl who played on the Russian National Teams that won the World Junior Championships in '02 and '03, was acquired by the Islanders in a trade in March '06. Scouting reports have projected him to become a top-2 defenseman in the NHL. Grebeshkov spent the past three seasons in the NHL and AHL, playing for the Los Angeles Kings and their farm club, the Manchester Monarchs, and also the Islanders and their farm club, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

excerpt from Newsday
July 10, 2006

Restricted free-agent defenseman Denis Grebeshkov is seeking a one-way contract (from the Islanders). The 22-year-old, who has 33 games of NHL experience, would rather play in Russia this season than in the AHL.

May 1, 2006 Update: Grebeshkov went scoreless in his final 9 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of April. He will go into the 2006-07 season still looking for his first NHL goal. In 33 career NHL games played he has 6 assists. He struggled at time defensively in April with the Islanders and was a -7 on the month. Grebeshkov was a -5 combined in the final two games of the season(-3 in a 6-1 loss at Pittsburgh April 17th). He finished a -9 with the Islanders in 21 games played and a -13 on the season in 29 NHL games. Denis was re-assigned to Bridgeport on April 19th to participate in the Sound Tigers first round playoff series vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Grebeshkov has a lot of promise with the Islanders but he needs to gain confidence at the NHL level and improve defensively. He's not a lock to make the Islanders in 2006-07.

Playoffs: Grebeshkov went 1-1-2 in 7 games played for Bridgeport vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. His goal came in Game 3 on April 23rd at the Arena at Harbor Yard giving Bridgeport a 2-1 lead, but the Sound Tigers went on to lose the game 3-2 in overtime. He assisted on Bruno Gervais' power play goal in Game 7 with 2:51 remaining, a goal that cut the Penguins lead to 4-3 at the time. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went on to win the game 5-4 and the series 4 games to 3. Grebeshkov was a -2 in the series. He was a -3 in Game 7.

April 1, 2006 Update: Grebeshkov recorded 3 assists in 12 games played in March following his trade to the Islanders. He's still looking for his first NHL goal. A few NHL coaches are very high on Grebeshkov. Islanders interim coach Brad Shaw stated that he can't wait to see Denis in two years. Ranger's coach Tom Renney recently stated that he did a lot of scouting of Grebeshkov in his years before joining the Rangers and that he wishes he had him on his team.

Acquired: Has arrived to the Islanders along with D Denis Grebeshkov and a conditional third round draft pick in 2006 in exchange for RW Mark Parrish and D Brent Sopel.

From THN's Future Watch: Ranked 2nd among Kings prospects and 26th among NHL's top 50. Grebeshkov was expected to make the team out of camp, but performed well below expectations. The Kings held out hope until the very end, believing he could be an everyday defenseman and a contributor on the power play. But he was too inconsistent and sent to Manchester. While he hasn't shown much in the way of a scoring touch, Grebeshkov has been solid in both ends at Manchester. The Kings remain high on Grebeshkov, but would like to see him emerge this season. Acquired: 2002 Entry Draft, 18th overall.

NHL.com Player Profile

LAST FIVE GAMES WITH POINTS: - Recorded an assist on Dec. 21 at Dallas* - Recorded an assist on Jan. 5 vs. Phoenix* * Points recorded with Los Angeles Kings. 2005-06 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: - Made his season debut (with Los Angeles) at Dallas on Dec. 31and recorded an assist in the game. - Made New York Islanders debut vs. Toronto on March 10. 2005-06 MINOR LEAGUE STATS: In 48 games played with the Manchester Moncarchs (AHL), recorded two goals and 25 assists for 27 points with one power play goal and a plus/minus rating on +7. CAREER HISTORY: 2004-05: Made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles against the Anaheim on Feb. 29Notched his first NHL point, an assist, in that gameCollected one point (0-1-1) in four games with the KingsLed AHL defensemen with 44 assistsHis 49 points (5-44-49) in 75 games led Monarchs defensemen and was tied for fourth overall in the AHLRecorded season-high three assists against the Springfield Falcons on March 12Represented PlanetUSA at the 2005 AHL All-Star Classic. 2003-04: Recorded his first AHL point, an assist, against the Lowell Lock Monsters on Oct. 24Tallied his first AHL goal against the Norfolk Admirals on Nov. 2Collected nine points (2-7-9) in 43 games with the Monarchs. 2002-03: Recorded seven points (0-7-7) and 26 penalty minutes in 49 games with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Russian Super LeagueAlso appeared in 10 playoff games and helped Lokomotiv win the Russian Super League title by recording an assist (0-1-1) and two penalty minutes.

Grebeshkov gets a turn
Acquired at deadline, defenseman has made most of opportunity
Mar. 14, 2006 - by Anthony Rieber - Newsday.com

When the Islanders made their trade-deadline deals, most people focused on the players who left. Now, with 19 games left, the focus turns to the players who arrived and whether they'll be here when the Islanders get to where they want to be.

One such player is 22-year-old Russian defenseman Denis Grebeshkov, who came over on Thursday from Los Angeles in the Mark Parrish-Brent Sopel deal. A 2002 first-round pick of the Kings (18th overall), Grebeshkov has impressed interim coach Brad Shaw in his first two games as an offensive defenseman who can run the power play.

"I thought he moved the puck with poise and saw the ice very well," Shaw said yesterday at Iceworks in Syosset. "For a young player, he's got his head up as much as any player I've ever seen. To step in and run a power play at this level as well as he's done is not an easy job."

Grebeshkov was plus-two in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Bruins in Boston. His previous NHL experience consisted of eight games with the Kings earlier this season. He was in Manchester, N.H., with the Kings' AHL team when he heard he had been traded.

"I was pretty excited," he said. "Now I get a chance to play in the NHL."

Said Shaw: "He certainly has the skills. He has the vision and the mobility with his feet and the ability with his hands to make plays, so I can't wait to see this guy in two or three years. He should be quite a hockey player."

Denis Grebeshkov Named To Russia's Preliminary Olympic Roster
Manchester Monarchs Press - October 12, 2005

MANCHESTER, NH - The Russian Ice Hockey Federation has included Manchester Monarchs defenseman Denis Grebeshkov and Los Angeles Kings left wing Alexander Frolov and right wing Valeri Bure on its preliminary Olympic roster, Kings President, Hockey Operations/General Manager Dave Taylor announced today.

Grebeshkov, selected by the Kings in the first-round (18th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, last represented his home country at the 2003 World Junior Championships (Gold Medal; 6 GP, 0-2=2; led the tournament with a plus-11 rating). The 22-year-old native of Yaroslavl also skated with the Russians at the 2002 World Junior Championships (Gold Medal; 7 GP, 1-2=3) and at the 2001 World Junior Championships (7 GP, 2-1=3). The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Grebeshkov has yet to appear in a Kings game this season. He led the AHL with 44 assists and tied for fourth among league blueliners with 49 overall points (5-44=49) while skating with the Monarchs during the 2004-05 season.

Denis Grebeshkov's Learning Curve
July 19, 2004 - LAKings.com

Denis Grebeshkov knows he has a lot to learn. Grebeshkov is projected as a top-four NHL defenseman, but before he reaches that level, the native of Russia is willing to pay his dues, work on his craft, and do the necessary groundwork.

Grebeshkov, after all, is learning a new style of hockey, and a new lifestyle in a new country.

So, Grebeshkov, mature beyond his 20 years, approached his first year in North America as if he were walking into one big classroom. After a year of playing mostly for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, the defenseman has become more comfortable with the North American style of hockey and aced all his exams.

Grebeshkov has also made great strides in improving his English. To help expedite the learning process, Grebeshkov says he made it a point to speak only English with teammates on the Kings’ primary affiliate at Manchester.

These days, Grebeshkov is proficient enough in English that he no longer needs a translator when submitting to an interview.

Still, Grebeshkov says, more time and much hard work remains if he is to master the English language. “You have to work at it,” Grebeshkov says. “And you have to speak it. That’s how you learn.”

Grebeshkov’s progress in picking up a new language mirrors his development as a hockey player.

“I learned a lot from my teammates,” Grebeshkov says of his crash course in a second language.

“When everyone around you speaks English, you don’t have any choice. You have to learn it. If you want to go to a restaurant or a store, you need to learn English.”

More importantly, Grebeshkov is learning the North American style hockey.

“Russia is still very different from America,” he says. “The hockey is different, too. But I’m learning.”

During the summer months, most of Grebeshkov’s time will be spent back home in Russia.

“Russia is home for me so I love going back. I’ll see friends and family, maybe take a little break from hockey, then I’ll go back to work.”

Grebeshkov is well on his way toward learning a new language, a new way of life and a new brand of hockey, but says he admits he has far to go.

To understand where he would like to be, Grebeshkov says you need only to look at a fellow Russian who made the same difficult adjustments well enough to be come one of hockey’s most prolific offensive defenseman.

“Sergei Zubov is a player I’ve always watched,” Grebeshkov says of the Dallas Stars’ blueliner. “I’ve always tried to pattern my game after his.”

Grebeshkov could pick worse players to pattern himself after. In 12 NHL seasons, Zubov has been a model of success.

Like Grebeshkov, Zubov is a defenseman with offensive capabilities. Grebeshkov likes to refer to his style as an “attacking defender.”

Zubov can be described much the same way. The Dallas defenseman has played in 856 NHL games, scoring 123 goals and 607 points. He’s played in three All-Star games, won two Stanley Cups (1994 with the New York Rangers and 1999 with Dallas) and won an Olympic gold medal (1992 with the Commonwealth of Independent States at Albertville, France).

In aspiring to have a career like Zubov’s, Grebeshkov has set the bar high. But he’s already developed many of the same talents that Zubov has used to carve out his own stellar career.

“Sergei is very good at moving the puck,” Grebeshkov says. “He plays well on the power play and is very smart. He doesn’t make many mistakes. Those are the things I want to do for the Kings.”

In 43 games at Manchester, Grebeshkov had two goals and nine points with a +6 rating.

“It was good for me to play at Manchester because I was able to become accustomed to America and the culture,” he says. “I think spending the year in the AHL will help me.”

Grebeshkov, who is 6-0, 189-pounds, says the AHL was particular helpful in helping him adjust to the more physical style of play in North America. “I got stronger,” he says.

He was recalled from Manchester in February and made his NHL debut, appearing in four games with the Kings, picking up an assist.

“I was very nervous and very excited,” he says of playing in the NHL for the first time.

Grebeshkov says he had that same emotion when he first joined the Kings organization two summers ago.

“I was very excited about being picked by the Kings. I was excited to be coming to Los Angeles,” he says. “It wasn’t really a big surprise to me when I got drafted. I was kind of expecting it, but I was very happy when I found out I would be going to the Kings.”

Though Grebeshkov had never been to Los Angeles before the Kings drafted him, he says he was familiar with the city through motion pictures and television.

“I knew Hollywood was there,” he says. “Beverly Hills, Melrose Place. I had heard great things about the city from television.”

Language isn’t the only new thing Grebeshkov has had to grasp since arriving in the United States.

“The hockey is a little different, but you adjust. It’s a different style in that it’s more physical. But I love hockey, so it doesn’t really matter to me what kind of hockey it is. I just want to play.”

Before long, the Kings believe Grebeshkov will be playing in Los Angeles. To that end, Grebeshkov will spend a portion of his summer working out with Kings’ training personnel.

“While I’m in Russia this summer,” he explains, “I’ll workout. Then I’ll come back to L.A. at the end of June so I can work out at the Kings facility with their fitness coach.”

At that time, the HEALTHSOUTH Training Center will become Grebeshkov’s classroom, the Kings’ training personnel his professors.

“Workouts will consist of a little bit of everything,” he says. Included is weight training and cardio work.

And, of course, on-ice training. That’s the kind of workout Grebeshkov likes best.

“I just love playing the game,” Grebeshkov says.

He indeed has passion, and that is the same in any language.

Kings Sign Denis Grebeshkov to Three Year Contract
July 15, 2003

EL SEGUNDO, CA. – The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a three-year contract with defenseman Denis Grebeshkov, Kings Senior Vice President/General Manager Dave Taylor announced today. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

Selected by the Kings in the first-round (18th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Grebeshkov, 19, played in the Russian Super League last season with Yaroslavl where he recorded seven points, all assists, (0-7=7) with 26 penalty minutes in 46 games. He also appeared in 10 playoff games with Yaroslavl recording an assist (0-1=1) and two penalty minutes helping Yarslavl win the Russian Super League Championship.

“We are pleased to have Denis under contract with the Kings,” said Taylor. “He is a very intelligent player who moves the puck well from his defensive position and someone who has had a tremendous amount of success in Europe at a very young age. We look forward to continuing his development here in North America.”

The 6-1, 195-pound native of Yaroslavl, Russia, was also a member of the Russian National Junior Team that won Gold Medals at the 2002 and 2003 World Junior Championships. In seven games at this year’s tournament, he recorded two assists (0-2=2) and six penalty minutes. He led all players in the tournament with a plus/minus rating of +11.

Denis Grebeshkov's RussianProspects.com Profile

Denis Grebeshkov Manchester Gallery

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