{"id":468050,"date":"2025-05-03T17:46:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T21:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=468050"},"modified":"2025-05-03T17:46:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T21:46:03","slug":"flames-sign-young-forward-after-breakout-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/05\/03\/flames-sign-young-forward-after-breakout-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Flames Sign Young Forward After Breakout Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"78\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">On Saturday, May 3rd, the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/04\/23\/why-the-flames-season-was-a-success-despite-missing-the-playoffs\/\" target=\"_self\"> Calgary Flames<\/a> announced a significant move to secure their future as forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/coronma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Coronato<\/a> has signed to a long-term contract extension.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">The Flames announced on social mediathat they signed Coronato to a seven-year contract worth $45.5 million. The contract will kick into effect next season with Coronato carrying an average annual value of $6.5 million against the cap. The signing is the first of many potential RFA contracts the Flames will need to deal with this offseason.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">THE ? IS SIGNED!<\/p>\n<p>Matt Coronato has inked a seven-year extension with an AAV of $6.5 million!<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Flames<\/a> | <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/original16beer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@original16beer<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5iOFEZ0fjj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/5iOFEZ0fjj<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NHLFlames\/status\/1918742484865142878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 3, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3 data-start=\"194\" data-end=\"472\">Matthew Coronato Signed by Calgary Flames<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"194\" data-end=\"472\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Coronato <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/09\/05\/making-the-jump-the-calgary-flames-matthew-coronato-path-to-the-nhl\/\" target=\"_self\">was the 13th overall pick<\/a> in the 2021 NHL Draft. However, he has emerged as one of the Flames&#8217; most promising young talents.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">After a 2023\u201324 season split between the NHL and AHL, he tallied 42 points in 45 games with the Calgary Wranglers and nine points in 34 games with the Flames. <\/span><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Coronato entered the 2024\u201325 season with heightened expectations.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Despite an initial <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/09\/05\/making-the-jump-the-calgary-flames-matthew-coronato-path-to-the-nhl\/\" target=\"_self\">assignment to the AHL<\/a>, he quickly demonstrated his readiness for the NHL, earning a recall after just two games.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"474\" data-end=\"673\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Upon his return, Coronato found chemistry alongside veterans <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/backlmi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikael Backlund<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/colembl01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blake Coleman<\/a>.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">This trio became a reliable unit, with Coronato contributing significantly to the team&#8217;s offense.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Notably, he delivered a standout performance against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/05\/02\/series-review-washington-capitals-prove-too-much-for-young-montreal-canadiens\/\" target=\"_self\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a> on November 5. He netted a game-tying goal late in regulation and netting the fastest overtime goal in franchise history just seven seconds into the extra period. As the season progressed, Coronato proved he wasn&#8217;t benefiting from playing alongside two of Calgary&#8217;s most reliable veterans. However, he was driving the line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"675\" data-end=\"833\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Throughout the season, Coronato showcased a well-rounded game.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Beyond his offensive prowess, that saw him score 24 goals and 47 points in 77 games. Coronato improved his skating, physicality, and defensive awareness, making him a valuable asset in various situations.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">His ability to adapt and contribute in multiple facets of the game has solidified his place in the Flames&#8217; lineup.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"675\" data-end=\"833\">Flames Signing Forward For the Future<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"835\" data-end=\"1074\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">The decision to lock in Coronato with a long-term extension reflects the Flames&#8217; commitment to building around their young talent.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">With the team narrowly missing the playoffs despite a 96-point season<\/span>, <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">securing key players like Coronato is crucial for sustained success.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">His development trajectory suggests he could become a cornerstone for the franchise. Coronato can provide both skill and leadership in the years to come.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1076\" data-end=\"1194\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">In a market where retaining homegrown talent is vital, the Flames&#8217; proactive approach with Coronato sets a positive precedent. Calgary will now shift their attention to other young RFA&#8217;s like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zaryco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Zary<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/klapkad01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Adam Klapka<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bahlke01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-05-03_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Bahl<\/a>. <\/span><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">As the team continues to integrate emerging players and retool its roster, Coronato&#8217;s presence offers both stability and excitement for the future of hockey in Calgary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1076\" data-end=\"1194\"><em>Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Saturday, May 3rd, the Calgary Flames announced a significant move to secure their future as forward Matthew Coronato has signed to a long-term contract extension. The Flames announced on social mediathat they signed Coronato to a seven-year contract worth $45.5 million. The contract will kick into effect next season with Coronato carrying an average [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5244,"featured_media":457900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,4547,34,4548],"tags":[103,6038,3326,6768],"class_list":["post-468050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flames","category-hockey","category-news","category-nhl","tag-calgary-flames","tag-calgary-flames-news","tag-kevin-bahl","tag-matthew-coronato"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5244"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=468050"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":468057,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468050\/revisions\/468057"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/457900"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=468050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=468050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=468050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}