Denis absorbs knowledge like a sponge. He learns fast and always works hard on the ice. Offensively he has been developing well in the international competition at his age level, but has not been extensive used in an offensive role with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Denis possesses a strong and well aimed shot. He is also a solid power play quarterback. His lack of experience is the main thing that is stopping him from taking a more prominent role on offense. Grebeshkov has the tools, but is prone to making mistakes and hence hesitates to take serious chances in the offensive zone. This is less evident if his play is assessed by only watching the International Tournaments, because he is light years ahead of many other players his own age. He possesses a great hockey sense. Dmitri Nabokoff put it very well when he said that Denis “knows where, when and how to act [on the ice], but is not always able to accomplish exactly what is needed”. Beyond the ice he is shy and timid. There were incidents when the security at the Lokomotiv arena did not allow him through, not believing that he is one of team’s leading defensemen.

2001 U20 WJC Review:
Denis Grebeshkov played on the second defensive pairing with the team’s captain, Anton Volchenkov. Denis was very mobile, displaying great puck handling and skating ability. Grebeshkov showed a lot of hockey sense and impressive vision of the ice. He however was not very physical and according to an observer from the tournament, he needs to bulk up and add some upper body strength. Denis also did not shoot the puck enough. According to an observer from the tournament, Denis was benched in the second period of the final game against Canada for unknown reasons. He did return in the third period, which leads to the possibility that he could have been injured.

Grebeshkov has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Kings and is now playing in North America. He is playing with Manchester of the AHL as he goes thru the adaptation process to the smaller rinks and the North American style of game. Once Grebs gets acclimated, there should be no obstacle to his assent to a future NHL top 2 pairing a couple of years down the line.

ETA - NOW