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

[Geeoff]

So, after watching an 8 minute highlight video, this kid reminds me a bit of Daniel Sedin stylistically. Like he's setting up a cycle, working it along the wall. Maybe this style is a bit old-fashioned in 2024, other than on the power play?

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

So, after watching an 8 minute highlight video, this kid reminds me a bit of Daniel Sedin stylistically. Like he's setting up a cycle, working it along the wall. Maybe this style is a bit old-fashioned in 2024, other than on the power play?

I wouldn't think so after watching it. Biggest part will be finding a dman that can run the half wall with him.

[getbak]

Two more clients from Conroy's favourite agent.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806843502594302448

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806876945407516994


We are Gold Star.

[Snuffleupagus]

A bit of a risk at 28 but Conny must have had intel that he'd be gone by 41.

If you want comparisons:

Mikko Rantanen as an upside.

Adam Ruzicka as a downside due to inconsistency.

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am still high on Honzek. I think he translates really well into today's NHL - he is fast, with a great motor, and a phenom on the forecheck. He generates a lot of offence by himself. One down year does not a career make.

People writing him off are ignorant as all hell. Sure the D+1 trends don’t look favourable but development isn’t linear. Plus PWF types take longer to fill out. His injury in his draft year wasn’t even structural. It was a random freak cut his leg suffered. And his first taste of pro hockey he sustained an injury but he needs to fill out before we see what he can really project as. All these kids are exercises in projection. Project with with caution.

[FlamesAddiction]

I really like this pick. He seems like a really smart and driven guy. He moved to North America to be closer to the NHL and I like how he said his goal was to be drafted, but his dream is to win the Cup. His English is perfect as well.

His stats really pop out as well and those highlights look good. Great release and he is going into a great program.

[Sandman]

Gridin's 83 points in 60 games are the same stats as Jaden Schwartz had in 2009-10, and both players are tied for the 3rd-best point totals in league history for 17 year-old players.

[Tibnadian_tpd]

I really like what Conroy’s done with the team, and although I like Matvei Gridin’s size and the fact he led the USHL in points, I just don’t see any “high end skill” that some of the scouts are mentioning. His passing is very average, he’s not overly creative, can’t really dangle or stickhandle impressively, or drive plays, but he does have a nice shot indeed. I just think he seems like a middle 6 type guy, which is fine at #28, but I don’t expect him to be a high end point producer at all in the NHL. Would be shocked if he ever produces over 60 points. I’m hoping for a solid 20 goal 20 assist type stat line per season on average, which is still valuable to any team. I do also think he was especially interesting, smart and thoughtful in his interviews, which speaks to his high character.

[devo22]

I'm disappointed we couldn't snag a center with the second 1st. Sadly, they flew off the board in the 20s (Hage, Surin, Beaudoin, Letourneau), so in absence of a trade up and with the board that was dealt to them, might as well swing for the fences. I like what I've read about him. Decent size, good scorer.

So Gridin in a nutshell is fine. I just really, really wish this franchise could start drafting centers at some point. It's frustrating.

[Flamesfan05]

I think Gridin was the right pick. Seems very talented. They need high ceilings players, not high floors

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Tibnadian_tpd

I really like what Conroy’s done with the team, and although I like Matvei Gridin’s size and the fact he led the USHL in points, I just don’t see any “high end skill” that some of the scouts are mentioning. His passing is very average, he’s not overly creative, can’t really dangle or stickhandle impressively, or drive plays, but he does have a nice shot indeed. I just think he seems like a middle 6 type guy, which is fine at #28, but I don’t expect him to be a high end point producer at all in the NHL. Would be shocked if he ever produces over 60 points. I’m hoping for a solid 20 goal 20 assist type stat line per season on average, which is still valuable to any team. I do also think he was especially interesting, smart and thoughtful in his interviews, which speaks to his high character.

There is no top end skills left in this draft after 15 or so

Intelligence and hockey sense is also a skill, he seems to have a lot of it.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Gridin's 83 points in 60 games are the same stats as Jaden Schwartz had in 2009-10, and both players are tied for the 3rd-best point totals in league history for 17 year-old players.

I know nothing about this player (like most who don’t play in the OHL in this draft) but you do not outproduce the second leading scorer on the team (who is allegedly a better player than you) by 22% and not have something going on. Very rarely in hockey is there a reverse carry situation where the guy with many more points is being carried by the player with far fewer points. Still can’t understand the Sportsnet reaction to this pick compared with Danford who had a great playoff but the Leafs better hope the playoffs is his offensive upside or else they drafted Cale Hulse. Cause I did see the Generals 3 times this year and I would not have had Danford in the first round myself.

[fotze2]

Hopefully he’s as good as his dad Thomas Gradin.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Only one player had more points in the USHL than Gridin's 83 in their draft season in the last 10 years, and that player was Matt Coronato, with 85.

Per Chris Peters.

Originally Posted by Sandman

Gridin's 83 points in 60 games are the same stats as Jaden Schwartz had in 2009-10, and both players are tied for the 3rd-best point totals in league history for 17 year-old players.

So what do you think is the disconnect between these stats and his ranking?

Is it skating? Is it compete? Did he simply fly under the radar?

[bigrangy]

Watching the highlight pack this is a guy who will make a pass first center/LW on his line look good. In the right spots, knows how to score, lurking around the net.

Will need some good coaching to learn the details but it’s a great package. Hopefully he sticks on the college path, when players de-commit and move to the CHL it usually doesn’t go well.

[Lanny_McDonald]

I like the pick. Highly skilled player that has kind of flown under the radar. Not sure how you become the top scorer in a league at his age and then be considered a reach, especially when your teammate, who you outscored by 15 points, gets drafted at #18? I think this is going to be one of those picks that surprises people in the future. Could be another sleeper, kind of like Aydar Suniev. Not disappointed in this pick at all.

[Enoch Root]

If you wanted upside, swing-for-the-fences picks, you have to be very happy with Parekh and Gridin.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

The beauty of having multiple picks in the top of the draft is that you can take guys like this a little earlier if you really like them and it doesn't torpedo your weekend.

Hopefully they take a few more home run swings on high skill guys.

[Fire]

At least 2 years in Michagan before he signs a contract. Then AHL for a couple of years. Possible NHL player in 5 years if it all goes well. I like the pick, another high IQ guy. 2nd line upside.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

So what do you think is the disconnect between these stats and his ranking?

Is it skating? Is it compete? Did he simply fly under the radar?

I think his defensive awareness and play away from the puck need some work.

His transition play is decent, but nothing to write home about.

One last tidbit that stands out (from looking at analytics) is him trying to force passes a little bit. He has a ton of slot passes/60, but only an average success rate at connecting.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806880947947860209

I'm cautiously optimistic about the pick! Hopefully we get a good scoring winger out of it.