There’s a new nickname floating around the Calgary Flames’ locker room - and it’s got nothing to do with rookie hazing or veteran pranks. Instead, it’s a nod to a teenager who’s not afraid to speak up, even when he’s skating alongside seasoned NHLers.
They’re calling him The Play-Caller.
That’s what happens when you’re a rookie with enough confidence to tell your linemates - including Jonathan Huberdeau and Morgan Frost - what the plan is before the puck even drops.
“Before faceoffs, we always talk about what we want to do,” Gridin said after the Flames edged out a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. “And I say, ‘Let’s do shooter.’ So now he calls me ‘The Play-Caller.’”
It’s the kind of moment that says a lot about who Gridin is - not just a kid trying to find his footing in the NHL, but someone who already sees himself as part of the solution. That mindset? The Flames are all in on it.
Gone are the days when rookies were expected to just listen, keep their heads down, and pick up pucks after practice without saying a word. Sure, Gridin’s probably still doing the puck duty, but he’s also doing something more important: making himself heard.
And when you’re lining up with a former All-Star like Huberdeau and a 26-year-old Frost - who, by the way, just turned in a first-star performance with a goal, an assist, and a dominant 15-for-18 night in the faceoff circle - that takes some guts.
Frost, for his part, isn’t just tolerating the teenager’s input - he’s embracing it. He laughed when asked about mentoring Gridin, clearly enjoying the dynamic that’s forming on this line.
It’s early, but the chemistry is starting to show. Gridin’s voice is being heard, and more importantly, it’s making a difference. For a Flames team looking to build something sustainable, that’s exactly the kind of energy they need - not just another rookie, but a Play-Caller in the making.