RW Matthew Coronato - Calgary Wranglers, AHL (2021, 13th, CGY)

[schnapshot]

First of many NHL goals for Coronato. He can absolutely wire a puck.

Absolute rip. Impressive

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Coronato was sent to the AHL a couple of weeks ago and he's been cooking: 4 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Bro continues to cook, 1 goal and 1 assist today. 13 points in 11 games.

 

[crazyfisherman]

Its gonna be hard for him to come back up unless there injures. Duehr is already sitting and once Pelletier comes back early next yr the fwd group is gonna be even more crowded. Also getting him used to the professional game load wont be the worst thing in the world.

 

[Yepthatsme]

Coronato is taking his demotion to the AHL in stride. In his first taste of AHL action, he has 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 14 games. That’s good for 6th best point per game in the league. Kid oozes offensive potential.

 

[Yepthatsme]

Figured it’s time for another bump, Coronato doesn’t get nearly enough attention for how insane of an AHL season he’s having. He’s up to 41 points in 38 games, which is stellar enough in his first full season in the A. The fact that stands out is the next leading scorer on the Wranglers has 31 points in 50 games on the season. Coronato in his first pro season is head and shoulders above the rest of his teammates offensively, at an age where that shouldn’t be the case.

He is overshadowed by the dynamic duo on the Dallas Stars’ affiliate team and for good reason, but he sits in 3rd for U22 points per game in the AHL (and 7th overall), all the while being on a bottom 10 offensive team. He definitely had to work on adjusting to the pros before he’s fully NHL ready, but this kid has very high potential at the NHL level.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Figured it’s time for another bump, Coronato doesn’t get nearly enough attention for how insane of an AHL season he’s having. He’s up to 41 points in 38 games, which is stellar enough in his first full season in the A. The fact that stands out is the next leading scorer on the Wranglers has 31 points in 50 games on the season. Coronato in his first pro season is head and shoulders above the rest of his teammates offensively, at an age where that shouldn’t be the case.

He is overshadowed by the dynamic duo on the Dallas Stars’ affiliate team and for good reason, but he sits in 3rd for U22 points per game in the AHL (and 7th overall), all the while being on a bottom 10 offensive team. He definitely had to work on adjusting to the pros before he’s fully NHL ready, but this kid has very high potential at the NHL level.

He's doing really well in the A but has looked a bit out of place in the league when he's been up with the Flames. Interesting case.

 

[super6646]

He's doing really well in the A but has looked a bit out of place in the league when he's been up with the Flames. Interesting case.

He needs to improve his skating.

 

[MS]

He's doing really well in the A but has looked a bit out of place in the league when he's been up with the Flames. Interesting case.

I've watched probably 10 of his games this year between AHL/NHL and I'm not a fan even though the production looks good.

Looks really small, struggles defensively. Skating is OK but not the elite stuff you want to see from a small guy like this.

On that Wrangler team, I really like Yan Kuznetsov. Production isn't great but his skating/mobility/footwork is very strong and he's excellent defensively - solid defensive IQ, great reach. Good bet to turn into a Soucy/Edmundson type defender.

 

[HighLifeMan]

I've watched probably 10 of his games this year between AHL/NHL and I'm not a fan even though the production looks good.

Looks really small, struggles defensively. Skating is OK but not the elite stuff you want to see from a small guy like this.

On that Wrangler team, I really like Yan Kuznetsov. Production isn't great but his skating/mobility/footwork is very strong and he's excellent defensively - solid defensive IQ, great reach. Good bet to turn into a Soucy/Edmundson type defender.

He's doing really well in the A but has looked a bit out of place in the league when he's been up with the Flames. Interesting case.

You have to remember he's still a 1st year pro, so of course he has some areas he needs to improve upon. His production can't be overlooked. Cull has him killing penalties and is using him in late game situations so his defense may be a work in progress but I certainly wouldn't say it's an issue either. He's a competitive kid, with a non-stop motor, so it more or less becomes about learning how to overcome the size/strength differences.

He looked a step behind in the NHL at times, sure, but once he figures out the speed and timing at the level, watch out. I'd be very surprised if Coronato doesn't go on to score a ton of goals at the NHL level.

 

[Yepthatsme]

I've watched probably 10 of his games this year between AHL/NHL and I'm not a fan even though the production looks good.

Looks really small, struggles defensively. Skating is OK but not the elite stuff you want to see from a small guy like this.

On that Wrangler team, I really like Yan Kuznetsov. Production isn't great but his skating/mobility/footwork is very strong and he's excellent defensively - solid defensive IQ, great reach. Good bet to turn into a Soucy/Edmundson type defender.

Guy is never going to be a burner, and that’s ok. He will add to his skating, ever since the AHL team has moved to Calgary they’ve done much better at adding skating elements to prospects (Zary and Pospisil immediately come to mind on the current roster). But his strengths lay in his tenacity and smarts more than his skating. He is more of the archetype of small forwards willing to use strength and low centre of gravity to win puck battles than to use elite skating to avoid them, which is still something he’ll need time to build with the jump to pros and especially the NHL. He still has too much smarts, offensive IQ, and goal scoring talent to not have success at the next level eventually though, which can be shown by the large amount he’s out producing the rest of his teammates currently.

You’re right about Kuznetsov though. He’s the type of player no fans will ever get excited about, mainly due to him having the offensive potential of a Chris Tanev. His defensive play, size, and skating especially in regards to 4 directional movement are all fantastic, hard not to see him carve out a role as a new age defensive defenseman in the NHL. Whether that’s on a 3rd pair or a 2nd pair is the real question.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Definitely has some things to work on but the scoring talent is there. Needs to learn how to play in traffic better and how to open up shooting lanes at the pro level but this is a nice first pro year for him.

 

[MS]

You have to remember he's still a 1st year pro, so of course he has some areas he needs to improve upon. His production can't be overlooked. Cull has him killing penalties and is using him in late game situations so his defense may be a work in progress but I certainly wouldn't say it's an issue either. He's a competitive kid, with a non-stop motor, so it more or less becomes about learning how to overcome the size/strength differences.

He looked a step behind in the NHL at times, sure, but once he figures out the speed and timing at the level, watch out. I'd be very surprised if Coronato doesn't go on to score a ton of goals at the NHL level.

Guy is never going to be a burner, and that’s ok. He will add to his skating, ever since the AHL team has moved to Calgary they’ve done much better at adding skating elements to prospects (Zary and Pospisil immediately come to mind on the current roster). But his strengths lay in his tenacity and smarts more than his skating. He is more of the archetype of small forwards willing to use strength and low centre of gravity to win puck battles than to use elite skating to avoid them, which is still something he’ll need time to build with the jump to pros and especially the NHL. He still has too much smarts, offensive IQ, and goal scoring talent to not have success at the next level eventually though, which can be shown by the large amount he’s out producing the rest of his teammates currently.

You’re right about Kuznetsov though. He’s the type of player no fans will ever get excited about, mainly due to him having the offensive potential of a Chris Tanev. His defensive play, size, and skating especially in regards to 4 directional movement are all fantastic, hard not to see him carve out a role as a new age defensive defenseman in the NHL. Whether that’s on a 3rd pair or a 2nd pair is the real question.

I'm fully aware that Flames fans will love Coronato's production and strongly disagree with what I'm saying. And fair enough!

My spidey senses have just said 'AAAA player' based on what I've seen of him this year.

 

[Yepthatsme]

I'm fully aware that Flames fans will love Coronato's production and strongly disagree with what I'm saying. And fair enough!

My spidey senses have just said 'AAAA player' based on what I've seen of him this year.

I think it’d be fair to argue whether he tops out as just a high motor 3rd liner or if he truly does have top line potential, but based off his age and current production he’d be an absolute unicorn to be a “too good for the AHL, not good enough for the NHL” player, like it’d be relatively unheard of levels of stagnation.

Over the last 10 years, the list of rookie AHLers with his points per game or better and a reasonable games played are:
Rantanen
Vatrano
Dylan Strome
Guentzel
Cooper Marody
Norris
Jack Quinn
Maccelli
Stankoven

So 1 bust in a 10 year span. Coronato has pretty good odds of being an NHLer, biases aside. The fact that he is 1 of 10 players to accomplish what he has in a 10 year window, along with the tools he does have is why Flames fans should be excited.

 

[thrillhous]

I think it’d be fair to argue whether he tops out as just a high motor 3rd liner or if he truly does have top line potential, but based off his age and current production he’d be an absolute unicorn to be a “too good for the AHL, not good enough for the NHL” player, like it’d be relatively unheard of levels of stagnation.

Over the last 10 years, the list of rookie AHLers with his points per game or better and a reasonable games played are:
Rantanen
Vatrano
Dylan Strome
Guentzel
Cooper Marody
Norris
Jack Quinn
Maccelli
Stankoven

So 1 bust in a 10 year span. Coronato has pretty good odds of being an NHLer, biases aside. The fact that he is 1 of 10 players to accomplish what he has in a 10 year window, along with the tools he does have is why Flames fans should be excited.

And Marody was a full year older than Coronato when he had his rookie AHL season.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Had a good night in Seattle opening game of the preseason with a G and 2A. Unsure where exactly he fits roster wise but if he can continue to make plays like this he should be on the big club.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838058477979079129

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Had a good night in Seattle opening game of the preseason with a G and 2A. Unsure where exactly he fits roster wise but if he can continue to make plays like this he should be on the big club.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838058477979079129

He should definitely make the team and play in an offensive role. I think the Flames have sometimes been a bit too patient with some of their top young prospects, leaving them in the minors for a bit too long before calling them up only to play in limited roles.

 

[Bounces R Way]

He should definitely make the team and play in an offensive role. I think the Flames have sometimes been a bit too patient with some of their top young prospects, leaving them in the minors for a bit too long before calling them up only to play in limited roles.

Got to keep the Rooneys and Hunts of the world happy lol
Although I don't have a problem with the way he was handled last season. Started well with the Flames, faded and was rightfully sent down, then came back up near the end of the season and looked a lot better.

I think he makes the team too but not sure where he would fit top 6 wise. Mantha and Kuzmenko seem to have those RW spots locked up if they're going to be pump and dump contracts. Backlund's line would be a good spot for him since Coleman can play either wing and they always do great with whoever they throw on there. But that seems like Pelletier is penciled in there and his development needs are more pressing considering his waiver status and fits more in the defensive deployment that line will draw.

A Huberdeau-Zary-Coronato line could be fun

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

2 more goals tonight.

So ridiculous they signed Mantha to block him.

 

[Leafshater67]

2 more goals tonight.

So ridiculous they signed Mantha to block him.

The Mantha signing was under the hopes they could get a 30 goal season out of a guy who’s 6’5, 235 and looks like he’d fit good with Huberdeau to get him going.

If the expiraient fails or Matt comes out all guns blazing, Mantha is easy to move.

 

[Lunatik]

2 more goals tonight.

So ridiculous they signed Mantha to block him.

Yeah, that's a MASSIVE oversimplification as you make it sound like Mantha is the only guy he can beat out for a job. He's not, and because of the flexibility of Coleman (LW/RW), Sharangovich (LW/C/RW), Kuzmenko (LW/RW), Pospisil (LW/C/RW) and Zary (LW/C) all he has to do is beat out 1 of 9 guys.

It's also a big disingenuous to suggest a player that is waiver exempt is being blocked by a guy on a 1-year contract. When 2 guys ahead of Coronato (including Mantha) will be moved by the trade deadline.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Hey, I hope you are right as a Coronato keeper leaguer owner.

But I am skeptical there is a path for regular top 9 minutes right now on a healthy Flames team. They have 7 veterans who are going to play regardless (Kadri, Backlund, Sharangovich, Huberdeau, Mantha, Coleman and Kuzmenko). They need Pospisil's size and bite and Zary is good.

What exactly is Mantha worth at the deadline? Maybe a 2nd. He was quite poor with Vegas so I doubt contenders are going to be racing to get him in 2025. I think leaving the spot open for your former top 13 pick would have made more sense.

 

[Lunatik]

Hey, I hope you are right as a Coronato keeper leaguer owner.

But I am skeptical there is a path for regular top 9 minutes right now on a healthy Flames team. They have 7 veterans who are going to play regardless (Kadri, Backlund, Sharangovich, Huberdeau, Mantha, Coleman and Kuzmenko). They need Pospisil's size and bite and Zary is good.

What exactly is Mantha worth at the deadline? Maybe a 2nd. He was quite poor with Vegas so I doubt contenders are going to be racing to get him in 2025. I think leaving the spot open for your former top 13 pick would have made more sense.

You need to make guys earn it, Flames made the mistake of gifting prospects jobs in the past and it never worked out.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

So Sharangovich is injured...and even with that, Coronato was an extra in the last 2 Flames practices.

Really eager to see what the plan is here.

 

[DJJones]

So Sharangovich is injured...and even with that, Coronato was an extra in the last 2 Flames practices.

Really eager to see what the plan is here.

Honzek took his spot, not much else to say.

Be injuries and trades to make room for him. Honzek will likely go down as well at some point