Calgary's Gridin Expected to Take Big Step Forward in Year Two
Matvei Gridin, selected 28th overall in 2024, is projected to have a breakout sophomore season with the Calgary Flames after posting 20 points in 37 NHL games last year. He has impressed in training camp, skating on the top line and first power-play unit. His junior production, including 83 points in the USHL, suggests significant upside.
Gridin's path to Calgary involved stops in Russian youth programs, a USHL stint in Michigan, and a QMJHL season in Quebec before turning pro. His junior resume includes leading the USHL in scoring with 83 points and topping QMJHL rookies in multiple offensive categories during the 2024-25 campaign.
The 20-year-old's late-season NHL surge, with points in eight of his final ten appearances, carried into training camp where he has been deployed alongside Morgan Frost and Matthew Coronato. His power-play work with Zayne Parekh has drawn attention, and his AHL All-Star selection as a teenager places him in select company historically.
Gridin's potential breakout could energize the Flames' fan base during a rebuild, offering a tangible reason for optimism. His success may also influence how the organization evaluates its prospect pipeline and development approach. For the broader hockey community, a young Russian forward thriving in Calgary could reinforce the value of diverse development paths through USHL and CHL routes, potentially shaping how other teams scout and develop similar prospects.