Flames Rookie Gridin Focused on Finding Net Before All-Star Showcase
The Calgary Flames, currently sitting as the NHL's lowest-scoring team, are in desperate need of offensive spark. One potential source of that much-needed firepower is 19-year-old forward Matvei Gridin, who is preparing to represent the Calgary Wranglers at the upcoming AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois.
All-Star Aspirations and On-Ice Accuracy
Every participant in the AHL All-Star Classic is asked to select their preferred events for the skills competition. For Gridin, the accuracy shooting challenge—a timed event where players must shatter four foam targets—topped his list. "I think I'd be good at it," Gridin stated confidently. "I think I have pretty accurate shooting." He hopes to demonstrate that precision on the ice before the mid-season showcase.
The young speedster, who also ranked the fastest skater event as his second choice, is still searching for his first legitimate NHL goal. While he did score in his October debut, it was a fortunate bounce off an opponent's skate rather than a clean shot. In his current six-game stint with the Flames, Gridin has recorded two assists but has yet to light the lamp with a purposeful effort.
The Quest for a 'Real' Goal
"I think I've played pretty good lately," Gridin reflected after a recent team session at Scotiabank Saddledome. "Just can't score on my chances, but I have them every game. I want a real goal, you know what I mean? From a shot or something, to feel that. But I think if I keep playing like I am, I think I will score soon. Hopefully."
The Flames organization shares that hope. Before his promotion to the NHL, Gridin was averaging nearly a point per game with the Wranglers, showcasing the offensive tools that suggest he could become a consistent contributor at hockey's highest level.
Earning Trust Through Two-Way Play
Currently skating on a top-six line with skilled playmakers Morgan Frost and Jonathan Huberdeau, Gridin understands that his path to remaining with the Flames involves more than just scoring. He emphasizes the importance of reliable defensive play in the NHL, where single mistakes can quickly turn into goals against.
"I think I'm playing better without the puck now," Gridin noted. "I just need to do it consistently. I might do it a couple times and then not do it, and they could score on that one. In the NHL, it's one mistake and they score. In the AHL, you could make five mistakes and they maybe don't score until the fifth."
This defensive awareness, combined with his offensive potential, makes Gridin an intriguing piece of Calgary's future puzzle. As the Flames navigate a season where playoff hopes have faded, developing young talent like Gridin becomes increasingly important for the franchise's long-term success.
While the team searches for solutions to their scoring woes, Gridin continues to work toward that first meaningful NHL goal—a milestone that would not only boost his confidence but potentially provide a glimpse of the offensive production the Flames so desperately need.
