Coronato says his intention is to sign with Flames when ready

[McG]

Imagine the meltdown if he honestly says “I really just want to get a degree from Harvard.”

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by McG

Imagine the meltdown if he honestly says “I really just want to get a degree from Harvard.”

Well of course. He wouldn't be a Calgary Flame then. You have 32 teams to sign with, you think as a free agent he's picking Calgary? Losing a 1st round pick for nothing, a melt down would be justified.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by Azure

Did Phillips not do that?

Like I get that Pelletier handled it well, and has made the most of his opportunity, but first one has to be given the opportunity...

Nothing was "given" to Pelletier. Phillips did not earn the opportunity and Pelletier did. They both started in the same place on the roster.

I think some folks are viewing Phillips' AHL success as a pre-cursor to what his NHL success will be. The truth is there are very very few 24 year olds (even with Phillips' numbers) that move from the AHL to the NHL and succeed.

[yourbestfriend]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Sutter has put Pelletier in a position to succeed and has been playing him with our two best forwards (or, at least the guys who are supposed to be our best forwards). That trumps whatever silly comments he made in the media. Coronato is likely looking at that and not whatever jerk comment was made in a press conference. Come in, play the right way, and you will be put in a position to succeed.

I think what's lost in all of this is if Coronato is even ready to play in the NHL? Sutter has preached multiple times that the NHL is not a developmental league and it's showed.

After being drafted, Pelletier played 2 more years in the Q, and then another 1.5 seasons in the AHL before getting called up. Zary played another season in junior followed by 2 years in the AHL and will be pushing for an NHL spot next year. Pelletier was put into a spot to succeed, and hopefully Zary will be as well, but they only earned that after basically playing 2 years of pro hockey.
Maybe Coronato kills it at camp next year and forces his way onto the team, but like most prospects outside of the top5/10 picks, he'll probably need at least 1-2 years of seasoning in the AHL before being able to play full time.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Drunk Uncle

Nothing was "given" to Pelletier. Phillips did not earn the opportunity and Pelletier did. They both started in the same place on the roster.

I think some folks are viewing Phillips' AHL success as a pre-cursor to what his NHL success will be. The truth is there are very very few 24 year olds (even with Phillips' numbers) that move from the AHL to the NHL and succeed.

Particularly when you get 2 games to show that you belong.

[McG]

Originally Posted by CGY12

Well of course. He wouldn't be a Calgary Flame then. You have 32 teams to sign with, you think as a free agent he's picking Calgary? Losing a 1st round pick for nothing, a melt down would be justified.

Well, what about the person himself and not the local hockey team? Not everyone sees playing hockey as their ultimate goal. Just saying.

I do think that he will sign with the flames, but I also think that he will be looking for playing guarantees and what happens to Treliving and Sutter will have an effect.

We are back to a signing watch regardless. As for losing a First for nothing, I would hope that the GM would be far more attuned to the situation than walking the player to free agency.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Slava

Particularly when you get 2 games to show that you belong.

I would be surprised if we don't see Phillips again this season, despite the fact he is not necessarily a fit here. There is still a lot of hockey left. Pelletier was highly noticeable in his first couple of games with very limited ice time down the lineup. He has so many other elements to his game in all three zones. Phillips, not so much.

As much as people want him to be an answer, he's just not it. Maybe he can go to an organization that will allow him to freewheel more than he would here and find some success, but there is just not a large runway for players of his size unless they are lethal offensive threats.

[CF84]

Originally Posted by CGY12

At the same time, with the organization having lived through the Fox situation, the media is probably more vocal about getting answers from Coronato, where as Fox they probably weren't. Also Coronato is a 1st round pick and Fox was a 3rd rounder.

The media was actually very vocal about getting an answer from Fox because of Tom. Flames fans were rightfully upset about Tommy Boy's decision and skeptical about another College hockey player who could bolt, but that's easier to forget about since his career didn't pan out very well.


I hope Coronato is being candid and I believe he will sign here if Sutter agrees to play him on the team. I don't think there's much to lose if the year has already gone to crap by the time Coronato has finished the season. Sutter is often too stubborn though.

It could be fun to see a Huberdeau - Bison - Pelletier line since Kadri just doesn't seem to fit very well with Huberdeau and Pelletier.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by CGY12

Well of course. He wouldn't be a Calgary Flame then. You have 32 teams to sign with, you think as a free agent he's picking Calgary? Losing a 1st round pick for nothing, a melt down would be justified.

we would actually be reimbursed with a 2nd round pick in the 2026 NHL draft

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Sutter will never vocally promise him a spot on the team before he steps on the ice in practice

Hope he's good with earning it. I am excited to see him

[Tuco]

He will go down as the greatest American in Flames history.

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Will the NHL ever close this loophole? Whats stopping them from doing this?

A) It’s not fair to punish kids who want to get their degree.
B) If they make them draft eligible again after year 4, that means that potentially 22+ year olds are being allowed into the draft. They would have to change the draft cut off age for everyone, including CHL prospects to make that work.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by yourbestfriend

I think what's lost in all of this is if Coronato is even ready to play in the NHL? Sutter has preached multiple times that the NHL is not a developmental league and it's showed.

After being drafted, Pelletier played 2 more years in the Q, and then another 1.5 seasons in the AHL before getting called up. Zary played another season in junior followed by 2 years in the AHL and will be pushing for an NHL spot next year. Pelletier was put into a spot to succeed, and hopefully Zary will be as well, but they only earned that after basically playing 2 years of pro hockey.
Maybe Coronato kills it at camp next year and forces his way onto the team, but like most prospects outside of the top5/10 picks, he'll probably need at least 1-2 years of seasoning in the AHL before being able to play full time.

Sutter gave Backs a sniff at NHL time when he was still in junior. Yes, it was less than 8 games, and covering an injury, but it should be noted that there is a precedent for it here.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.c...debut.amp.html

In Coronato’s case this is more of an incentive to sweeten the deal and get him to sign now. It gets him to RFA faster too.

[gamesaver]

Between the line I read it as he knows his own value and is aware that the power lays in his hands now. Putting some highlight on Sutter's stupid comments about prospects applies an extra pressure on the org. He wants to skip the AHL and go directly to the big league.

[dammage79]

Hope they convince him to sign THIS season. I suspect if he goes for his 4th year at Harvard, he's gone.

For once I'd like to not have some underlying anxiety about a top NCAA prospect flipping us the bird and walking off.

I hate fox only because he's a Norris winning D man WE DRAFTED. But I also am beyond happy Lindholm is a Flame too so there's that.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Will the NHL ever close this loophole? Whats stopping them from doing this?

Getting the players association on board would be the hard part if I had to guess. Real shame, it's such a bull#### system as it stands right now

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by McG

Imagine the meltdown if he honestly says “I really just want to get a degree from Harvard.”

Then Grad School.

[Trolleydodger]

Originally Posted by Tuco

He will go down as the greatest American in Flames history.

It would be nice if he was better than Joe Mullen.

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by Tuco

He will go down as the greatest American in Flames history.

Likely.

Atleast 500 goals.

[Tuco]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Likely.

Atleast 500 goals.

At least 1200 points.