Flames select Matvei Gridin at No. 28 overall in NHL Draft
Published Jun 28, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 1 minute read
The Calgary Flames clearly believe that Matvei Gridin will be worth the wait.
And they weren’t willing to wait to find out if the winger would still be available in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
The Flames selected Gridin at No. 28 overall, a bit of surprise since many analysts and mock-drafters didn’t expect to hear this name called until Day 2.
Here are three things to know about the Flames’ newest forward prospect …
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BIG SHOT
Gridin won the USHL’s scoring title this past season, notching 38 goals and 83 points in 60 outings with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. His stat-sheet included 10 tallies on the power-play, and seven that stood as game-winners. Scouts seem to agree that his wicked shot is among his best attributes. It could get even better as he adds some muscle to his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame. FC Hockey describes Gridin as “a talented sniper with a quick release, deadly accuracy and high-end power, making him a significant threat in the offensive zone.”
OFF TO SCHOOL
Gridin, who hails from Russia but has already played a pair of seasons in North America, has committed to join the University of Michigan Wolverines in the fall. While that likely means that he won’t turn pro for at least a couple of years, Michigan has a history of pumping out NHL talent. About 30 Wolverines alums skated in ‘The Show’ in 2023-24, a list that is headlined by Luke and Quinn Hughes, Zach Hyman and Dylan Larkin.
WAITING IN THE WINGS
The Flames have a solid stockpile of young wingers, but Gridin offers some versatility as a left-shot who is comfortable playing the right side. He’ll need time to mature, but the hope is he’ll eventually join a cast of wingmen in Calgary that includes Matt Coronato, Sam Honzek, Jakob Pelletier, Martin Pospisil and Connor Zary. All of those guys are 24-and-under.
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