Calgary Flames 1st Round Pick Matvei Gridin - Not Just Goals, He's a Balanced Attacker

In this episode of The Two-Line Pass, I'll dive into Calgary #Flames #NHLDraft2024 first round selection Matvei Gridin of the Muskegon Lumberjacks. I'll get a quick hitting scouting report in there on him, but I'll do a deeper dive into his playmaking process to see if it's scalable to the pro level.
Also, I'll go a short rant about how there's an unnecessary dichotomy between offensive hockey sense and defensive hockey sense.
Twitter: @MichaelFarkasHF - like and subscribe if you'd like more of this niche content.

[@scottdixon4495]

As a Flames fan this has me excited. Best draft the Flames have had in years.

[@ArmChairGMPodcast]

I'm also quite excited, and Gridin is pretty smart as well.

[@danielbishop6743]

Excellent work. Thanks.

[@sandman_says_runrunner4701]

Excellent breakdown.

[@screeechbud]

Great breakdown on his vision/senses

[@JesusFriedChrist]

A smart player sees plays before they happen. Understanding the game on an intuitive level allows you to play, and make smart plays, without having to even think about it. I know, I’ve played sports before and had those glimpses of genius to make perfect plays. This kid shows real potential.

[@agent00puffball]

I've never seen defense put in this way before, but you're right. If you understand how to generate offense then you also know how other people want to generate offense, which can then translate to stopping it. Technical skill can be taught, intuition and hockey sense can't.

[@trevorcastino3113]

You’ve got a new fan of the channel. Great breakdown

[@courfeyracj]

Nice video

[@kevin-alb]

Super insightful video. Im by no means a professional scout, but what I noticed when watching him, is most of his smarts are off the rush. Like absolutely no doubt there is high end skill there. My nitpick is he can sometimes be tunnel visioned which leads to inconsistent decision making (esp out of d zone) Now my absolute biggest concern is what you touched on: the compete and defence. It is so horrendous it looks silly. Watching the routes he takes, the lack of start and stops, the cheating, the bad technique. This is not something anyone is getting away with in the NHL unless theyre a star. I also felt like his board play was fairly weak, and that needs to be addressed I truly believe the last concerns are what will make or break whether he makes the show or not. As a flames fan, I’m not very encouraged especially with rumours of why he’s not in NCAA (potentially correlates to work ethic?) but I dont hate the swing on the upside, this guy is skilled and has high end abilities especially on the rush. We’ll see what happens, but yea the concerns need to be figured out if he wants a career

[@jordanforester6624]

Great breakdown!

[@ArmChairGMPodcast]

The thing that impressed me most is his ability to see the right play offensively. Even if he's in suoer tight, if the goalie is in a weird position to cut off his shooting angle he can see an in tight pass and make it at a monents notice, but also isn't afraid to shoot when the time is right. Obviously the defensive effort level needs alot of work though. Great breakdowm! Really good stuff

[@Neeper78]

Great Video. Thanks!

[@crackingtheshell7959]

lol the "not...fundamentally... anything..." comment about the defender

[@user-bl4ex2ep4y]

Wondering if there would be videos on boisvert and mustard coming? Blackhawk fan hear and these video have been great at breaking these guys down!

[@EsspressoMan1]

Calgary Flames can get all the best pics they want but it's not going to change anything if they don't keep them when they get good. Flames need to Pony up and pay the players when they're producing and not play money puck when they get good

[@JesusFriedChrist]

We also need to bring Iggy Home

[@Tairygreen]

🤡 ☝🏻

[@jackedwards4520]

As a oiler fan I hope Mcdavid wins the cup

[@ominousflames14]

I hope he does too, just not with the Oilers.

[@jackedwards4520]

@@ominousflames14 we’re gonna win it next year especially after signing Perry