CALGARY — Ryan Huska preceded the Flames†final pre-season tilt with a rather philosophical reminder to those on the bubble
“First impressions are important, but last impressions are critical,†said the Flames coach.
He wasnâ€t speaking of anyone in particular, but as the teamâ€s final cut looms Matvei Gridin came to mind.
Heâ€s been, without question, the breakthrough story of camp.
A first-round draft pick in 2024 who was the QMJHLâ€s rookie of the year last season, the 19-year-old has used his speed and shot to earn a look right until the end of the silly season.
In Fridayâ€s final audition, he further bolstered his chances of cracking an opening night roster that could certainly use his offensive skills.
A nifty backhand tuck through Connor Hellebuyckâ€s legs in a loss to Winnipeg Friday night gave the young Russian a team-high three goals in the pre-season.
Add to that a shootout-winning move earlier in the week, the confident youngster is already dubbing the ‘Gridin Signature’ and youâ€ve got enough ingredients to form a pretty solid argument for starting his pro career in the bigs next week.
“Obviously happy because I scored goals and built my confidence and feel like I could make the team,†said Gridin following a 5-4 shootout loss at the Dome.
“If coaches think Iâ€m ready to go, Iâ€m ready.â€
Playing on a line with Morgan Frost and Matt Coronato, Gridin raised eyebrows early when he slipped a beauty backhand pass through Neal Pionkâ€s legs in close, setting Mikael Backlund up for a great chance the captain wasnâ€t able to get a handle on.
His goal put the Flames up 2-0 when he corralled a loose puck in front of the Jets’ net and quickly finished, as he did 36 times in Shawinigan.
Asked how it felt to beat the worldâ€s best goalie, the soft-spoken lad smiled.
“Felt good,†beamed Gridin, who was later denied in the 14-person shootout in which he had the game on his stick.
“Gotta score in the shootout though. The ‘Gridin Signature’ didnâ€t work.â€
Heâ€s been hearing plenty from his teammates the last few days about his “trademark†shootout finish.
“Ras (Rasmus Andersson) is trolling me every day now,†he chuckled, comfortable that such internal ribbing is a sign of acceptance.
Late in the second he made a great play to intercept a breakout pass at the Jets’ blueline, creating a good scoring chance all by himself. Even as the pace and intensity elevate, heâ€s made things happen throughout camp.
In three short weeks, Gridin has shown heâ€s going to be a key piece for the Flames.
The only question now is whether it starts Wednesday in Edmonton.
“Heâ€s been good, heâ€s had impact, so weâ€re happy for him and we know weâ€ve got a really nice young player there who is going to do some really nice things,†said Huska, who gave Gridin almost 14 minutes of ice time, including more than two minutes on the power play.
“Heâ€s given himself an opportunity and thatâ€s all we can ask.â€
Hereâ€s the tough part for Gridin — heâ€s the easiest one to send down, as heâ€s the only candidate that doesnâ€t have to clear waivers.
The good news for him is that the Flames†decision on how to pare down their season opening roster from 24 to 23 could be made for them if Jonathan Huberdeauâ€s day-to-day status turns into a stint on the injured reserve list.
In that case, Gridin avoids demotion and sticks around.
If Huberdeau and the rest of the crew is healthy, the team would have to risk putting someone on waivers to make room for Gridin, namely Daniil Miromanov.
Putting anyone else through that process makes no sense, as potential opening night extras like Brayden Pachal, Adam Klapka or Martin Pospisil are valued pieces.
The Flames are essentially off for the weekend, and the deadline to declare their 23-man starting grid is Monday afternoon.
While many would like to see the exciting prospect rewarded for his pre-season production, there is certainly no damage done by sending him to the Wranglers for his introduction to the pro game.
Regardless of where he starts, you can bet Gridin will be in Flames silks soon.
“We need whoever is going to give us a chance to win,†said Huska, admitting the team has a tough decision on its hands.
“What I do look at is if youâ€re a young guy you need to play. So for me, if heâ€s here heâ€s going to play. If heâ€s not here heâ€s going to play somewhere else.â€
Despite blowing a 4-2 lead in the third period Friday, the Flames ended the pre-season feeling much better than they did two nights earlier when they lost 8-1 to the Canucks. They finished the exhibition season 3-4-1.
Rasmus Andersson scored in the seven-round shootout, as did Justin Kirkland, with his (legit) signature finish. But the game ended in bizarre fashion when Dustin Wolf stopped Tanner Pearsonâ€s initial shot, only to bobble it with his glove as he turned and it dropped down and trickled into the net. “That will be on a weird clip show soon,†smiled Wolf, who made 31 saves.
The Flames were relieved Rory Kerins cleared waivers on Friday, but the club lost Ilya Solovyov, who was claimed by Colorado.
Flames second-round pick Theo Stockselius had his rights traded from Seattle to the Calgary Hitmen on Friday, but no word when or if the 18-year-old centre will join the club, as heâ€s currently on the roster with Djurgardens in his native Sweden.
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