‘A huge win for us': Calgary Flames sign Matt Coronato to seven-year extension
It doesn't feel far-fetched to think that Matt Coronato could score 30 goals on the regular. Make it an annual habit through his NHL career.
If that prediction proves true, this contract extension could turn out to be a dandy of a deal for the Calgary Flames.
The organization announced Saturday afternoon that Coronato has inked a seven-year deal worth an average of US$6.5 million per winter.
That means the sharpshooting right-winger is locked up through the end of the 2031-32 campaign. Still only 22, Coronato is a major piece of the Flames' future core and it's certainly encouraging that he is willing to commit a bunch of his prime years to Calgary.
'I couldn't be more excited,' Coronato told Postmedia. 'I love all the guys, all my teammates, and the staff as well. I feel like this team is going in such a great direction and I love to being in Calgary, so it's really awesome to get this done.'
That's exactly how general manager Craig Conroy was feeling too.
'It's exciting for obviously the organization, for the fans, the city, the team … ' Conroy beamed after Saturday's announcement. 'With where we're building, Matt is going to be a big part of this moving forward.
'To get the seven years and to know that he's going to be here, we just think it's a huge win for us today, for both sides.'
Coronato scored 24 goals this season, finishing third on the team charts. He added 23 assists.
He was slated to be a restricted free agent this summer.
During the Flames' end-of-season interviews, Blake Coleman singled out Coronato as one of the reasons that he believes the future looks so bright in Calgary.
'You look at some of the kids … ' Coleman said. 'Matty comes to mind, just off the top of my head. He's going to be a 30 goal-scorer in this league.'
wgilbertson@postmedia.com
More to come.
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New York Times
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These four men have earned the opportunity to return for another season in Edmonton. (Photo of Evander Kane: Perry Nelson / Imagn Images)
