It’s safe to say the 2025-26 season has been disappointing for the Calgary Flames. One season after finishing one regulation win outside of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the Flames are one of two teams that haven’t managed a .400 win percentage through the first quarter of the 2025-26 campaign.
However, it’s relatively easy to find the problem. Calgary is in second-to-last place in total offense, averaging 2.38 GF/G. Additionally, the team’s power play is also the second worst with a 13.41% success rate. The Flames have scored one or fewer goals in seven games this season.
When they do score, the usual suspects are contributing. Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson lead their respective positions in scoring, followed by Matthew Coronato, Mikael Backlund, Morgan Frost, and Jonathan Huberdeau at the top of the table. Still, with the likes of Yegor Sharangovich and MacKenzie Weegar struggling to live up to their typical standards, would it make sense for Calgary to inject more offense into its lineup?
Fortunately, the Flames have an in-house candidate in the wings. The 28th overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, Matvei Gridin, who’s already appeared in four games with Calgary this season, is off to an exceptional start with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.
Currently in his first professional season in North America, Gridin is second on the Wranglers in scoring with eight goals and 20 points in 17 games, one point off veteran Martin Frk for the team lead.
Furthermore, Gridin is the highest-scoring rookie in the AHL up to this point, managing a two-point lead over the Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect, Nick Lardis. Not only is Gridin sitting first amongst rookies, but he’s tied for third in the entire league.
Despite the dreadful start to the season, the Flames are only six points back of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, giving them plenty of time to catch up. Although he shouldn’t be considered a cure-all, Gridin could provide the necessary offense, both at even strength and with a man advantage, to make Calgary much more competitive on the offensive side of the puck.
Still, there are other things to consider outside of salvaging this season. Given his age, Gridin is eligible to have his entry-level contract slide should he appear in nine or fewer games with the Flames this season. If Calgary has already decided to punt on the 2025-26 campaign, it wouldn’t make sense to recall Gridin this season.
The answer to the question is “No.” What’s the best Calgary can hope for? Pushing all their chips into the middle for the *chance* they could squeak in on the final WC slot and promptly go one-and-done? For that they need to rush the development of a top prospect?
Nah. Let him season in the AHL.