Coronato says his intention is to sign with Flames when ready

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by theslymonkey

He's a RHS shoot first RW. The Flames have exactly zero of those. He'd be crazy to not sign here. Opportunity trumps almost anytihng.

...what do you think Tyler Toffoli is? I get your point to a degree when you consider Toffoli's age and contract situation...but I mean, that's exactly what Toffoli is.

[Naitix]

Sutter said not too long ago he believes that players should start in the AHL, not sure how keen Coronato will be to sign if Sutter tells him that.

[Erick Estrada]

Interesting that they admitted paying attention to the whole Pelletier/Sutter thing. This is why it's important in the future that Darryl keeps that stuff behind closed doors as in this day and age. I don't think any damage has been done in regards to Coronato but I imagine prospects lower on the pecking order have taken note and may not feel good about making it with the team.

[Ashes]

Well, this is refreshing to hear. See what the offers are for Toffoli at the very least, this guy would sure alleviate some concerns about the RW depth being atrocious if Toffoli was to leave. Hopefully he can cap off his time in College with a National Championship and then ride out the rest of the season with the Flames!

[BigFlameDog]

"Coronato is certainly aware of the way Sutter handled young players like Matthew Phillips and Jakob Pelletier early on this season, which had many in the hockey world wondering if other prospects with potential options would shy away from Calgary.

“We paid attention to the Pelletier thing, but Sutter didn’t say anything about Matt Coronato or players like Matt Coronato,” said a person close to the situation.

“Matt is Matt. He’s very confident in himself and there’s lots of variables involved here.”

How is this still a thing or is the entire hockey world related to Matthew Phillips?

[CGY12]

“Once my season is over, my family, my advisers and I will listen to what Darryl Sutter and Brad Treliving have to say about where they see me fitting into the organization, and then make our decision about whether to sign.

“My intention remains to sign with the Calgary Flames when I’m ready, and I would find an opportunity to play in the NHL attractive.”

I'm sorry but maybe the pessimistic person in me makes me read that quote very differently than some others on here. When do you hear a prospect talk like this to the media? When the NHL is attractive? For a kid and prospect who is not even guaranteed to be good enough to play at the level, as we see a lot of 1st round busts, some of the specific words used raise an eyebrow for me. Who knows what the kid is actually thinking though. Maybe the confidence is a good thing.

Regardless, whether its relevant or not, when you draft collegiate players the organization has to be conscious of perception of how young players are being developed and treated. Like it or not.

[Toonage]

I know its not the same situation, everyone is different, and I fully expect to get roasted over this.

But I get big time Adam Fox vibes from that statement.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Actions speak louder than words here. Fox said all the right things too. We should find out in about six weeks.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Not much happening on the Flames trade front.... this is just a fill-in-the-time article.

We will probably get eight phone alerts when he signs.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I know its not the same situation, everyone is different, and I fully expect to get roasted over this.

But I get big time Adam Fox vibes from that statement.

no reason to roast you, I fully understand the concern. But then again, I think Coronato hasn't said or done a wrong thing since being drafted. And as long as he doesn't, I don't think he deserves to be doubted just because Adam Fox was a dick.

now if he doesn't sign once his season is over, then it's a different story. If he chooses to stay at Harvard, he absolutely needs to be traded this summer IMO.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CGY12

I'm sorry but maybe the pessimistic person in me makes me read that quote very differently than some others on here. When do you hear a prospect talk like this to the media? When the NHL is attractive? For a kid and prospect who is not even guaranteed to be good enough to play at the level, as we see a lot of 1st round busts, some of the specific words used raise an eyebrow for me. Who knows what the kid is actually thinking though. Maybe the confidence is a good thing.

Regardless, whether its relevant or not, when you draft collegiate players the organization has to be conscious of perception of how young players are being developed and treated. Like it or not.

My first reaction was like yours. However, it is important to remember that when he says "make our decision about whether to sign", he is referring to THIS YEAR.

As an NCAA player, if he signs, his Harvard hockey career is over. So signing this year is a separate decision from signing next year, or ever.

The fact that he is discussing it suggests, to me at least, that he would like to go pro now. So if the Flames make games, and a year of his ELC, available, that's a pretty big carrot, over waiting 2 more years.

[FlamesAddiction]

Is there any kind of deadline where the Flames need to sign him or he needs to commit to university for next year?

[Enoch Root]

Adam Fox never said anything like tis to the Calgary media, did he?

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Actions speak louder than words here. Fox said all the right things too. We should find out in about six weeks.

Not really the case.

He said next to nothing.

Here was his quote when he decided to stay in school for year three ""For right now, just staying and focusing on school and hockey, that’s my focus."

Not really comparable.

[Azure]

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.

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...

[Johnny Makarov]

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

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Is there any kind of deadline where the Flames need to sign him or he needs to commit to university for next year?

There is no deadline. He can sign whenever he wants regardless of commitment or what he tells the university.

Most players don't do it out of respect for the college team.

When it does happen it usually is because the player is about to lose his NCAA eligibility (e.g. academic reasons).

[Manhattanboy]

Well that's really good news given the parade of disappointments the last 3 weeks.

I remember the Johnny signing watch like it was yesterday.

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not really the case.

He said next to nothing.

Here was his quote when he decided to stay in school for year three ""For right now, just staying and focusing on school and hockey, that’s my focus."

Not really comparable.

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.

[Canada 02]

I'm curious if the Flames see him as a RW or C. He has played 23 of 29 games this season as Harvard's #1 C. I wonder if he had a hand or wrist injury for the other 6 games so couldn't take draws. He also played C for about 1/4 of his freshman season.

Coronato plays such a responsible and effective 2-way game. He is very consistent - having watched him play 50+ games, I can count on one hand the number of bad games he has had in two seasons. More important, he elevates his game at big moments or big games. He is an excellent PKer. Can play the shutdown role - head to head vs Fantilli, Coronato completely neutralized him. In two games vs Michigan, Fantilli's only success was when Coronato wasn't on the ice. The Michigan commentators were saying how no one had done that to Fanitilli all season. Offensively, he is one of the best pure goalscorers in College hockey.
To me, he is the most exciting Flames prospect since Tkachuk