It has been a chaotic couple of weeks for Matt Coronato. After being a healthy scratch for the first couple of games of the season, Coronato would then score two goals in his next two games and would get a promotion to the team’s top line. However, after a little bit of time, Coronato would be sent down the AHL where a war took place online debating whether or not it was the correct move, including Coronato’s agent getting involved in the matter.
Coronato’s stint in the AHL lasted only two games, during which he scored two goals and was called back up to the Flames. After his latest performance against the Montreal Canadiens, I think it is safe to say that Coronato has played his last game in the AHL.
Leading the charge offensively
Now, I know what you are thinking, no, Coronato is not leading the Flames in points or goals, but when I say that Coronato is leading the charge, I say that in regard to what his on-ice impacts have been at the NHL, this season. He has been excellent and even slightly unlucky if you ask me.
Coronato has been just fantastic this season at creating chances, he has been getting high-danger looks for himself and has been able to set up his teammates on multiple occasions. His stat line of just four points (all goals) should be more this season thus far, but there is still plenty of time for him to get that total to a bigger number.
Coronato was single-handedly responsible for the team’s win last night with his two goals to get the team even and to give them the win with his first career overtime winner. He was all over it all night long, he was all over the ice making plays both offensively and defensively and he was rewarded for that hard work in the end. What we all saw against Montreal, was Coronato leading the charge—it was a game that he absolutely needed to have to prove that he is right where he belongs.
Coronato has nothing left to prove in the AHL
When a young player can dominate the AHL in his first professional season, it is a very good sign that he won’t be there for very long. That was the case last season for Coronato. After making the Flames out of camp last year he struggled to make an impact on a consistent basis and the Flames made the decision to give him some seasoning with the Wranglers in the AHL.
Coronato didn’t just play well, he dominated. He produced at over a point per game in 41 games and he gained a ton of confidence in doing so. It is not easy for a young player to come in and dominate a league full of guys who have been there for a long time and are pushing for NHL jobs. So, coming into camp this season you just knew he was going to look that much better.
Coronato did exactly that, but as I mentioned above, it still wasn’t enough to earn him a spot in the opening night lineup before being sent down. Coronato went down and for two games he dominated like he did a season ago, and the Flames had no choice but to bring him right back up. There is nothing left for Coronato to achieve at the AHL level, if the Flames want him to become the best he can be, he needs to be in the NHL playing significant minutes. Since he has come back up, the Flames have given him that chance, and it looks like it is going to pay off.
Coronato is an NHL player and there is no debate
As I mentioned, the counting stats aren’t world-beating by any means for Coronato, but he is doing everything the right way, and he is getting better as each game passes. It also helps that he is getting the bump of playing with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman who have been great with getting young players going, it should only get better with time.
Enough shipping him around between the NHL and AHL, enough of playing with his confidence, enough with the uncertainty of where he is going to play. Coronato is an NHL player, and that is where he belongs from here on out. If they keep him right where he is, I think he is going to reward the team with many performances like the one we saw against the Canadiens.
