With the twenty eighth choose of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the Calgary Flames have chosen Matvei Gridin from the Muskegon Lumberjacks of america Hockey League (USHL)
About Matvei Gridin
Matvei Gridin, who scored 38 targets and 45 assists for 83 factors in 60 video games, led the USHL in factors in 2023-24. For reference, he had the very same factors and video games performed totals as Jaden Schwartz in 2009-10, tying him for the third-highest level mark amongst age-17 gamers in league historical past.
Associated: 2024 NHL Draft: Reside Tracker
Gridin processes the sport extraordinarily properly for his age. Whereas it’s true that the USHL isn’t as fierce as an expert league, he was all the time making the fitting performs on the proper time. He doesn’t appear to have any standout traits per se, however his thoughts mixed together with his ability set can probably enable him to blossom right into a middle-six winger sometime.
THW Prospect Profile Excerpt
“There are moments the place Matvei Griden seems to undergo the motions, however he reads and reacts to performs in addition to anybody within the draft. He has confirmed that he can beat goalies within the USHL from wherever within the offensive zone with an impressive snapshot. He’s a powerful playmaker and finisher who can generate a variety of offense, however he can play on the perimeter an excessive amount of, which is the primary concern on how his recreation will fare at greater ranges.
“A participant with sound hockey IQ, Gridin is an efficient skater however not a pure burner on open ice. His offensive ability set is equal elements goal-scorer and playmaker. His assists come from extending performs greater than from creating off the push. He usually tries and pulls off tough, intelligent little moments on the ice to worm his approach out of bother, play pucks by, or previous defenders.
Associated: 2024 NHL Draft Information
“On account of his good measurement, he performs a heavy fashion. Gridin is difficult to defend across the crease and all the time appears to seek out pucks across the internet. Nonetheless, he tends to comply with the sport too usually, so he must get out of his consolation zone and assault extra.
Full participant profile could be discovered right here.
How This Impacts the Flames’ Plans
Amid a rebuild, the Flames are attempting to get the entire assist that they will. Having traded Andrew Mangiapane and probably dealing a participant like Nazem Kadri, Calgary will need some offensive items to work with as they construct up their roster. Gridin is a superb choice who might probably be a second-line participant. He’s not a direct comparability, however he has Mangiapane upside in a way by way of the kind of utilization and manufacturing he might have.
Calgary is build up their prospect core, and so they began out nice on this draft with Zayne Parekh. Maybe, this may be the beginning of one thing particular for them. Solely time will inform, after all, however their path appears to be promising for the long run.
