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

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Wonder if part of the delay is that the Flames are considering keeping Gridin in the AHL and teams won't trade for him until he's actually been assigned to the Q

I was thinking that, or maybe Gridin is trying to force himself into the AHL by being non-committal about signing with a CHL team.

Not too many 18 year olds play in the AHL, but it isn't unheard of. Kevin Fiala, Moritz Seider, David Pasternak, and Quinton Byfield are a few recent and current NHLers that took that route.

Maybe the Flames want to see him in camp and let him play a few AHL games to see where they actually want him.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I was thinking that, or maybe Gridin is trying to force himself into the AHL by being non-committal about signing with a CHL team.

Not too many 18 year olds play in the AHL, but it isn't unheard of. Kevin Fiala, Moritz Seider, David Pasternak, and Quinton Byfield are a few recent and current NHLers that took that route.

Maybe the Flames want to see him in camp and let him play a few AHL games to see where they actually want him.

My guess is if he has a strong camp and if he's physically mature enough they'd prefer him to be in the AHL than the QMJHL.

Even if just for a part of the season, and then assign him to the Q later on.

[Funkhouser]

If he plays in the Q this season, is he eligible for the AHL the following season or would he be obliged to return to the Q??

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

If he plays in the Q this season, is he eligible for the AHL the following season or would he be obliged to return to the Q??

I believe he'd still be eligible for the AHL, because the transfer agreement is based on what league you played in at the time you were drafted.

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

NHL teams "strongly suggest" certain picks for the CHL Import draft. I'm surprised Val d'Or went off-script.

Maybe trying to maximize an asset?

Import drafts can be a bit spotty. Take him and flip him for a big return maybe?

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by Toonage

To each their own. For me, I'd prefer him in the OHL.

With Rimouski, he'd be there for the Memorial Cup, and I think that would be great for his development. Outside of that, I'm not sure the Flames have a great recent history with their prospects in that league.

I'd prefer Shawinigan, because while he can develop his hockey skills in many places, Shawinigan is the only place he can learn the secrets of the ultimate handshake.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

My guess is if he has a strong camp and if he's physically mature enough they'd prefer him to be in the AHL than the QMJHL.

Even if just for a part of the season, and then assign him to the Q later on.

USHL to AHL is a huge jump

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

If he plays in the Q this season, is he eligible for the AHL the following season or would he be obliged to return to the Q??

I don't know for sure, but someone posted that once he signs with a CHL team and plays a game, he becomes ineligible for the AHL as if he was drafted out of the CHL.

[Flamesguy_SJ]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

There are many world class Junior programs in the Q.

Québec (Cream of the crop when it comes to junior programs), Rimouski, Saint Johns, Halifax, Shawinigan, Chicoutimi and Moncton.

Even in a lower program, if you become the main driver things can go great.

The Q gets a ton of flack but people often forget to mention that they have brought back 5 of the last 10 memorial cups. The league has steadily gotten better, especially in the past two decades.

Saint John

[sureLoss]

QMJHL rights have been traded

https://twitter.com/user/status/1837116715190141267

[Toonage]

So can he still start in the AHL or does this squash that?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Toonage

So can he still start in the AHL or does this squash that?

AFAIK he hasn't signed a contract with a QMJHL team.

[sureLoss]

Shawinigan GM says they have already talked to Gridin, his agent, and the Flames (via google translate):

https://chl.ca/lhjmq-cataractes/arti...matvei-gridin/

"We said we wanted to give some tone to our attack. That's what Gridin's arrival gives us. We are delighted with the openness of the Gridin family, his agent and the Flames to accept that his development continues with us. He is currently at the Flames camp, we wish him a good camp. We will be ready to receive him when the Flames decide it is time for him to continue his journey in junior," indicated general manager Martin Mondou.

[Funkhouser]

Hopefully Jean Chretien teaches the players self defense

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Hopefully Jean Chretien teaches the players self defense

All new players are given an Inuit sculpture to carry with them at all times

[Freeway]

I've asked and been told that the CHL agreement would apply to him once he signs with a QMJHL team. I have not seen the agreement, so I'm taking their word for it.

[FlamesAddiction]

It's hard to imagine they would give up assets for his rights if they didn't have some kind of commitment from Gridin. Too bad, I was kind of hoping he's be fast tracked to the AHL, but I guess they must not think it's the best path.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I bet the Cataractes have a good team ophthalmologist.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I bet the Cataractes have a good team ophthalmologist.

For those who wonder, like I once did, "cataracte" means waterfall in French.

The optical disease was named that because it causes the eye to turn cloudy, which looks like a waterfall over the eye.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by getbak

For those who wonder, like I once did, "cataracte" means waterfall in French.

The optical disease was named that because it causes the eye to turn cloudy, which looks like a waterfall over the eye.

Quiet, nerd!