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

[sureLoss]

Great article on Gridin:
https://rg.org/news/hockey/calgary-f...ath-to-the-nhl

"Before the draft, I was sure that I would be selected at the end of the first round. I don't remember any meetings with the Flames representatives at all. After the draft combine, I thought that Colorado or Toronto would select me. I didn't think Calgary was interested at all. Toronto had 23rd pick, Colorado had 24th, but both teams traded their picks, so I thought I would be selected in the second round."

Gridin is often compared to the Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov, who also left Russia for the USHL at 16.

"I can see it; my path has been similar to Svechnikov’s, but when people ask me who I resemble the most, I always name Evgeny Kuznetsov. He is my favorite player. I think we have similarities in terms of hockey IQ and skating. He’s not the player he once was, but he is still very skilled. I fell in love with his game when I was about five. When I lived in Khabarovsk, Kuznetsov played for the Traktor, and I even have a photo of us together. He was my idol. There was also Datsyuk, who I was fond of.

“At development camp in Calgary, I talked to a nutritionist about gaining three kilograms of muscle mass. She wrote me a plan and her recommendations helped me a lot. Now I’m 6’1 and 190 pounds.

“The goal for this season is to work on my weaknesses, like my play away from the puck in the defensive zone, forechecking, and backchecking. It will help me accomplish my goal of making the NHL next year. Calgary has a young, rebuilding team, which could help a young guy like me break through if the opportunity presents itself. It’s on me to prepare for that opportunity."

[Matty81]

Looks like he is on their 2nd line behind a player named Felix Lacerte at top line/1st unit PP RW? Might be that we need to temper expectations around his offensive numbers if he's a tiny bit buried there... kind of too bad he didn't go to a program where he could be "the" guy as a 1st rounder if so, but I do like when Flames prospects are in a winning program surrounded by good players where the player can't develop selfish habits or end up having to be the sole playmaker and his team certainly look like they will be strong this year.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Looks like he is on their 2nd line behind a player named Felix Lacerte at top line/1st unit PP RW? Might be that we need to temper expectations around his offensive numbers if he's a tiny bit buried there... kind of too bad he didn't go to a program where he could be "the" guy as a 1st rounder if so, but I do like when Flames prospects are in a winning program surrounded by good players where the player can't develop selfish habits or end up having to be the sole playmaker and his team certainly look like they will be strong this year.

I don't care what his offensive numbers are - who cares if a 19 year old can dominate teenagers? I am far more interested in guys that want to work on their deficiencies and become better players. This quote is exactly what I want to see:

"The goal for this season is to work on my weaknesses, like my play away from the puck in the defensive zone, forechecking, and backchecking. It will help me accomplish my goal of making the NHL next year. Calgary has a young, rebuilding team, which could help a young guy like me break through if the opportunity presents itself. It’s on me to prepare for that opportunity."

[sureLoss]

Also wouldn't read too much into his lines or usage just yet. Came into Shawinigan without any practices, pre-season games, or knowing the system, coaches, teammates or even how people play in this league. He should move up into the line up as he gets more acclimated with the team.

[Bingo]

Nothing about that article tempers the enthusiasm about the pick.

Sounds like a solid, grounded kid.

[chummer]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1898960684970602662

[Delthefunky]

That is an awesome Celly.

[Badgers Nose]

Cool he was traded for in the Elias deal and was picked #28 OA.

[jg13]

did he high 5 the other team!? only person ive seen do that before is jake virtanen when he was a hitman

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by chummer

https://twitter.com/user/status/1898960684970602662

He shows a nice turn of speed!

[EVERLAST]

Imagine the power and speed once Fujita works wonders with him like Coronato

[Erick Estrada]

His wheels there look better than advertised.

[MrButtons]

Prospect Czar Sandman, was there any worries about his skating when we drafted him? Too lazy to search through the threads for it and figured you may know off the top of your head.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by chummer

https://twitter.com/user/status/1898960684970602662

That celly feels right out of Kuznetsov's playbook too. Hated it against Canada at the world juniors but loved it as a Caps fan

[Reggie Dunlop]

I like him. I think he's going to be a player. A good one.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

Imagine the power and speed once Fujita works wonders with him like Coronato

Coronato still has a lot of work today. They guy looks like a little chaos dwarf on skates.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Coronato still has a lot of work today. They guy looks like a little chaos dwarf on skates.

Username checks out

[Canada 02]

Gridin should be the favourite for the inaugural Sidney Crosby Trophy for the QMJHL rookie of the year.

Gridin has 71 pts, first among rookies and 14 up on the next closest player

[Flames67]

love the sliding high five to the other team, that's some brass nuts

[Infinit47]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Gridin should be the favourite for the inaugural Sidney Crosby Trophy for the QMJHL rookie of the year.

Gridin has 71 pts, first among rookies and 14 up on the next closest player

He is 19.