[News] With the 28th OA pick, the Flames select RW Matvei Gridin

[Icon]

More I look into this pick the more I'm on board. Going to a good organization between now and the Flames to help him too.

[dustygoon]

Why is it he rates as 2nd rounder or later? Never heard of him but unreal skating and offense on video. Great stats.

Rankings can be so group thinky. Maybe he doesn’t end up doing much but he seems better than Elick or O’reilly.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806876900025123063

Zayne, Gridin, Coronato, Brusty, Morin, Pelletier, Grushnikov, Bahl, Wolf.

That’s not a bad start to a rebuild at all.

[sureLoss]

https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/12...-pick-analysis

No. 28 Calgary Flames Select: Matvei Gridin, LW, Muskegon
Scouting Report
It hasn’t been discussed much, but Gridin just had one of the most productive draft-eligible seasons in the USHL since it became a Tier 1 league. Gridin is fourth in the league among draft-eligible players dating back to 2000-01 with 83 points. He’s a gifted scorer with an ability to get his shot off from anywhere. He’s a shot-pass threat with the ability to make the right reads and make the right plays often. Gridin has decent size, but can afford to get stronger. Sometimes he can be a little too perimeter and doesn’t always play the most aggressive style. I think the hockey sense is high-end, however. That combined with his hand skills leads me to believe he can one day challenge for a top-six role, though middle-six is more likely. He’s got more time to grow his skill and build strength as he’s heading to the University of Michigan.

Instant Analysis
Gridin was the No. 30 player on my draft board and I think there's a lot of upside there. He's only just scratching the surface and he knows what he needs to work on to be successful. Gridin has good size and he can absolutely score. The Flames already grabbed top prospect Matt Coronato out of the USHL and go back to that well to get Gridin. Coronato was the only player in the last 10 years who had a higher point total in their draft-eligible season in the USHL. Not many people had Gridin as a first-rounder, but I really like this bet from Calgary.

[Hells Bells]

Maybe it's the #92 but when I watch the highlights I see a lot of Kuznetsov, with a much better shot.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

Why is it he rates as 2nd rounder or later? .

Seems to be just how hard you criticize the off the puck play. But that's all coachable to me.

He's by no means a guaranteed NHLer, but at 28 he shouldn't be anyway. There's enough potential there , I'm in. Yeah maybe he was there next round, but if he's a target I'll believe in their reasoning.

[DJones]

Pick seems to suggest they have a lot of faith in Coronato as well. That's nice to see, big year for him

[Ashasx]

This former USHL scout loves the pick

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806877128128078160

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Really like the focus on upside

Don't know zilch about the guy but yep swing for the fences. We have a whole lot of players who ain't never playing on the 1st line or 1st pairing. Conroy keep swinging till we get some actual dynamic talent!

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Zayne, Gridin, Coronato, Brusty, Morin, Pelletier, Grushnikov, Bahl, Wolf.

That’s not a bad start to a rebuild at all.

Guys like Grushnikov and Bahl are even more so important now.

Flames now have offensive Dman prospects galore with Parekh, Bruz, Poirier & Morin. Absolutely love the D cupboard the Flames have right now.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

This former USHL scout loves the pick

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806877128128078160

Also says:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806880602186240472

I'll take that kind of excitement from someone with eyes on the kid any day!

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

What? When was the last time the Flames used a first round pick on a player whose upside at the time was grinding 3rd line winger?

Seriously?

If you think he has grinding upside I'd suggest you give your head a shake. This is top end talent or bust vibes.

[the-rasta-masta]

I'm mostly concerned that we don't know at this point if he is a beast or not.

[Enoch Root]

talent, upside, and decent size - seems like a great pick

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

What? When was the last time the Flames used a first round pick on a player whose upside at the time was grinding 3rd line winger?

Not that long ago.

[Enoch Root]

Honzek's upside is not a 3rd line grinder

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Honzek's upside is not a 3rd line grinder

Until he proves otherwise, that is where he is trending (no homer goggles on)

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Honzek's upside is not a 3rd line grinder

That was his stock at the time and it’s only gone down since.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

I'm mostly concerned that we don't know at this point if he is a beast or not.

Has Crazybaconlegs weighed in yet?? Almost surely he can confirm if he’s beast or not!

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Honzek's upside is not a 3rd line grinder

I know this is far from the only scouting report our there on the guy, but here is one that projects him as a 3rd line player...

Link

Honzek is an interesting player to project. When watching his game, on the surface, his ceiling isn’t very high. His skills are projectable to the next level, thanks in large part to the lack of mistakes and 200-foot abilities. But upon deeper inspection, it’s clear there is more in his game that needs to be unlocked. With his size, skating and potential raw skills finding their stride, he has the makings of a future top-six winger. Meanwhile, if he learns how to use his size better in terms of being more physical, and continues building his smart possession-based offence and effective defence, he projects well as a third-line forward in the future.

His D+1 year wasn't a good year for the guy development wise.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1674222793628733440