Flames’ Forward Matvei Gridin Is Due for Breakout Sophomore Season

Matvei Gridin is due for his breakout season in the National Hockey League (NHL) as the Calgary Flames continue their rebuild. Gridin, who was drafted 28th overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, has looked excellent so far through training camp and a couple of preseason games.  

Last season, Gridin split his time between the Flames and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers. In 37 games with the Flames, Gridin recorded six goals and 20 points, despite posting a minus-14 rating and playing 15:10 per night. In the AHL, he recorded 10 goals and 30 points in the 37 games, and progressed nicely as the season went on, finishing up with the Flames recording points in eight of his last 10 games. 

Gridin has looked good lined up on the first line with Morgan Frost at centre and Matthew Coronato on the right wing so far. He has also played with the first power-play unit from the blue line in a quarterback-type role alongside defenceman Zayne Parekh. In the few-man advantages so far, there has been great chemistry between Parekh and Gridin, constantly opening space through elite puck work and deception.

Where Gridin Came From

Gridin, born in Kurgan, Russia, spent his minor hockey seasons in the Spartak St. Petersburg and Avangard Omsk youth programs. He then picked things up and moved to Muskegon, Michigan, after being selected 223rd-overall by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the 2022 United States Hockey League (USHL) Entry Draft. 

In his rookie season, Gridin put together eight goals and 21 points in 40 games. The following season, he exploded for 38 goals and 83 points, with the latter leading the USHL while being named to the First All-Star team. This led to him being ranked as high as 21st in the NHL Central Scouting ranks, but for the most part was seen as a good second-round selection, so when the Flames picked him 28th overall, some questions were raised. 

Gridin switched over to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the 2024/25 season, after the Val-d’Or Foreurs selected him first-overall in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft. The Foreurs subsequently traded him to the Shawinigan Cataractes. 

Gridin immediately found success, as he led all QMJHL rookies in points, goals, assists, and more, resulting in him being named to the CHL All-Rookie Team, named QMJHL overall rookie of the year, and offensive rookie of the year. He was committed to play at the University of Michigan but gave that up after he signed his entry-level contract following the draft. 

What can the Flames Expect?

Gridin is coming into the season with a lot of expectations. He is arguably the Flames’ most hyped offensive prospect in a while, even since Matthew Tkachuk. For good measure to as his resume stacks up to the hype. He even joined some elite company, such as Mikko Rantanen and Patrice Bergeron, when he made the AHL All-Star Game as a 19-year-old, one of just 16 ever. 

Flames general manager Craig Conroy noted the then-19-year-old’s achievement. “He’s been probably our best player down there this year. At 19 years old, people don’t realize how amazing that is.” (From “Flames prospect Matvei Gridin joins exclusive club as teenaged AHL all-star,” Calgary Herald, February 10, 2026.) 

Gridin is a high-level player with elite hockey IQ that allows him to create chances off the rush to flash his quick snapshot. He also isn’t afraid to hold onto the puck and attract the opposition toward him because of his shot threat, allowing his teammates to get into lanes for high-danger chances with his precision passing. In the AHL last season, where he was given more responsibilities, all of these were on display each game in a league much older than he was, showing he isn’t afraid of playing physical or along the boards. 

Throughout his draft season, the concerns were around his skating and rather lacklustre defensive zone abilities. In the two seasons since, both have certainly improved, his skating more than his defence, as he still faced problems engaging completely in the defensive zone. Though as the seasons continued, he improved defensively, especially along the blue line, getting the puck out of the zone, which in turn led to his hyper-offensively fixated play style. 

With that said, Gridin’s sophomore season is one with tons of pressure and expectations, as is for any high-ranking prospect. For the Flames, who have been looking for a young offensive threat for some time, those calls may finally just be answered. If not, you still have the likes of Cole Reschny, Ethan Wyttenbach, and Cullen Potter all still in college who can complete his game in the next few seasons.