At just 19 years old, Calgary Flames forward prospect Yan Kuznetsov Gridin is already making waves - and he’s not shy about where he thinks his skills shine brightest.
Asked which event he’d choose if given the chance to compete in the AHL All-Star skills competition, Gridin didn’t hesitate: accuracy shooting.
“I think I’d be good at it,” he said with a grin, ahead of representing the Calgary Wranglers at the upcoming AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois. “I think I have pretty accurate shooting.”
That’s a challenge he’s eager to back up on the ice - and maybe even before the All-Star festivities get underway.
Gridin’s confidence isn’t coming out of nowhere. The young winger has already had a taste of NHL action, scoring in his debut back in October. Sure, it wasn’t exactly a highlight-reel snipe - he was trying to thread a pass through the slot when the puck deflected off a defender’s skate and found twine - but a goal’s a goal, especially when it comes in your first big-league game.
Since being recalled for a second stint with the Flames, Gridin has suited up for six games and picked up a pair of assists. The points haven’t come in bunches, but he’s consistently generating chances and showing flashes of the offensive touch that earned him a call-up in the first place.
“I think I’ve played pretty good lately,” Gridin said after a team meeting and workout at the Saddledome. “Just can’t score on my chances, but I have them every game.”
That’s the key - the chances are there. And for a young forward still adjusting to the pace and physicality of the NHL, that’s a strong indicator that the production will come. Gridin’s speed and vision are already translating, and while the finishing touch hasn’t fully clicked yet, he’s putting himself in the right spots and making the kinds of plays that coaching staffs love to see.
He also mentioned the “fastest skater” event - the hot lap - as his second pick for the skills competition, which tracks. Gridin’s wheels are one of the more noticeable parts of his game, and it’s that combination of speed and shooting ability that makes him such an intriguing piece in Calgary’s system.
For now, he’s focused on making the most of every shift with the Flames and soaking in the experience of being back in the NHL. But with the AHL All-Star Classic on the horizon, don’t be surprised if Gridin makes some noise in Rockford - especially if he gets his shot at the targets.