Scout: Austin [2023-08-18]
Calgary Flames
2021 NHL Entry Draft
1st Round Pick
13th Overall Selection by the Calgary Flames
MAIN REPORT
Skating:
Matthew Coronato is a player who always seems to have questions about his skating ability at a certain level, but has always managed to adapt well enough to not have it be an issue, but the NHL will be a whole other beast. He's not a strong or shifty skater but has shown a passing quality that will be tested in the NHL.
Passing/Handling:
His playmaking gets a bit overshadowed by the fact that he's a great shooter, but Coronato has been able to make a long of well-created chances, but even better is his puck moving creation more so than passing. Sean Farrell was the playmaker of the Harvard duo, but Coronato is no slouch of a creator either.
Shooting:
Coronato has always been a high-end goalscorer, and that may be his most translatable asset. He has a strong wrister that he can hit from every angle, as well as a complimentary snapshot with good accuracy. He's talented with the puck, but it's his release that may be where his hands are best at.
IQ (Vision, off/def anticipation, panic meter):
Not many would be surprised to learn that Coronato, a Psychology Major at Harvard, is intelligent both on and off the ice. Coronato is one of the smartest players you will find on the ice, constantly being able to read plays efficiently and is constantly making high-IQ plays with and without the puck. He's not an elite hockey mind, but he's shown the potential to hold a lot of maturity on the ice as he ages into the pro game. One key asset of his smarts is his ability to create trickery with the puck, constantly making plays to fool opposing defenders much like a soccer player with the ball trying to deke out a defender. His smarts should translate well to the NHL.
Forechecking:
His forechecking is alright, but since he's 5'10, you won't be seeing him become some sort of a bruiser. He times his defensive battles well, but it's not a sure thing that he'll be too menacing against much strong players. He has the smarts and compete, but he's missing the strength, which he'll have to put on if that's a part of his game he wishes to add.
Defense (Rush and in-zone):
Again, Coronato is 5'10, so he isn't going to be the most physical guy, but he does have the intensity to create pressure in situational matchups, and his transition game is strong to bring the puck out of danger. He wasn't afraid to match up against stronger players at Harvard, and could hold his own, so with a few more added pounds, it's possible that he could do well enough as a defensive player in the NHL, but that's something that may take a bit of time.
Best Asset:
It's impressive how complete Coronato's game looks. He can score, he can create chances, he can turn on his intensity when needed, he has the smarts. He's not a player who usually has a bad night, and when everything in his toolbox is working, you're getting a machine of a player who's going to dominate and really make a problem for opposing teams.
Biggest Concern:
Skating is of course a concern. As mentioned in the Skating portion of the report, Coronato has decent, but average skating, that if it's an issue in the NHL, may limit how high his ceiling is. He has the IQ and the offensive talent, but it's not clear just how high his peak will be as a smaller player with average skating. It'll possibly take a while to grasp his projection in the NHL level.
Top Tier/Role Potential:
If his skating improves, Coronato could be a low-end 1st liner to a high-end 2nd liner, and realistically, 2nd line is the most likely option regardless at best. With a great eye for the goal and good stickhandling, I would not be shocked if Coronato manages to net a few 30-Goal seasons in his future.
50th percentile Tier/Role:
Coronato's high-end potential could see him as one of the league's better 2nd liners, but even his average role still has a likelihood of being on the second line. His offensive potential and IQ could likely see him become a 20-Goal scorer with the potential for 30 in a good year.
Stylistic Comparable:
A possible comparison is a smarter Viktor Arvidsson but not as strong of a skater. Both are skilled goalscorers who play best when they kick up the intensity. Arvidsson struggled with consistency and upside concerns early in his career, before taking a big step this year, and I can see Coronato as a player who may take some time to hit his stride, but once he does, can really become an underrated top-six talent.
GAME REPORTS
Game Date: 05/28/23
Teams and Score: Latvia (4-3) United States (OT)
Notable Stats Coronato: 1G 1A 2P
Skating:
Decent skating in this game. Coronato doesn't have any exceptional speed or mobility but it looked Passing in this game. Getting faster will be able to ensure that there's potential as a top-fix forward in his future.
Passing/Handling:
Coronato didn't have much of a passing game, but playing alongside pros, he didn't look much out of place. He had some nice feeds but he needs to find way to get the puck more and pass, as opposed to being a shooter. There were 1 or 2 times where he could have made a pass but took a chance on a shot.
Shooting:
It was impressive how easy it was for Coronato to find shooting space for himself. Multiple times throughout the game was Coronato able to find open lanes and setup spots for chances, and yet ironically, his one goal in this game came from a tap in near the front of the net. Really felt that Coronato did well in setting up opportunities for himself, but can have a habit of trying too hard at times, especially in risky situations, but you have to respect the intensity.
IQ:
Felt he made a couple of questionable plays on offense, as noted prior, there were a few shot attempts that seemed to be a bit risky that didn't pay off. His positioning was strong, and defensively, he did a good job in coverage, but Coronato needs to read plays with the puck in his stick a bit better at times.
Forechecking:
Coronato seemed to be a bit peskier than usual in this one. He was active and engaged in puck battles along the boards, and did well challenging the Latvians for possession. Not anything notable on this end but a solid effort here.
Defense:
He wasn't a dominating defender, but he managed to hold his own. On Latvia's 3rd goal, Coronato seemed to lose focus, unsure of who to defend, and it led to a goal that he could have done a better job containing. It was disappointing because he defense looms fine prior to the error. Refining his defensive positioning and awareness is key.
Standout skill today:
Coronato's shot making ability has been one of his strengths for a long time, and he really used this tournament to prove so. If he's ever making a team's top-six, it's because he's such a strong and aware shooter.
What was missing today?:
For the IQ Coronato has, he seemed a bit all over the place structurally. He didn't always seem sure of where to be or what to do. Felt that Coronato could have had a more consistently solid game if he took the time to focus on the flow of the game.
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Game Date: 04/12/23
Teams and Score: Calgary Flames (3-1) San Jose Sharks
Notable Stats: 0G 0A 0P 14:38 TOI 6 SOG +1
Skating:
Coronato's first shift was a breakout for an attempted goal that was inches from going in. For Coronato's average skating, you wouldn't have guessed it was an issue in this game. Coronato always done well bringing his skating up to a passing level, but in this game, it was NHL quality.
Passing/Handling:
Good stickhandling by Coronato throughout the game. He wasn't making any crazy plays, and played much more composed than he usually does. He still needs to pass more.
Shooting:
This game really solidified for me the belief that Coronato's shot is going to translate to the NHL. He's great at giving himself shooting chances out of nothing, quickly creating chances and having good looks for himself. Eventually, the goals will come as well. Coronato had a great chance with 6 minutes left in the 2nd after a pass near a crowded crease for Coronato, who quickly gets his shot off. His release is as quick as his mind.
IQ:
Mentally, Coronato didn't look like a kid out there. Was impressed with his positioning at both ends. Felt he set himself up nicely at both ends, and did well in transition as well. Felt that the tougher competition somewhat benefited Coronato who seemed to be working hard with more Composure.
Forechecking:
A few moments where Coronato really battled. Would like to see him a bit more engaged on the defensive end, but a solid effort from Coronato, who showed little signs of a rookie disadvantage.
Defense:
Defensively, Coronato did quite well in positioning. Not an overly physical game, which isn't unusual. It's not likely he'll become any sort of physical talent, but he's shown improvements to his positioning and awareness on D.
Standout skill today:
Coronato did a good job adapting to NHL play quickly. Coronafo has always been a quick learner and at the pros is no different. He showed as to why he'll surely be on the Flames roster next year.
What was missing today?:
Coronato needs to add some playmaking to his game. He takes a lot of shots, but making some passes would be a big benefit to his point totals. There's a 25-30 Goal potential for him in the future, but potentially less in Assists. Being more comfortable as a puck mover will do him good.
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Game Date: 12/30/22
Teams and Score: Boston University (2-1) Harvard University (OT)
Notable Stats:
Skating:
Decent skating by Coronato. He did well enough to match up with a strong Boston U team. He could stand to be a little quicker in and out of transition but an overall solid skating game from Coronato, who's managed to improve his skating a good bit.
Passing/Handling:
He's not a natural passer, but Coronato can be make some nice passes when he wants to. Hope to see more of it in the NHL.
Shooting:
Coronato had a terrific goal with 5 minutes in the 3rd period to tie things up for Harvard, sending the Crimson to OT. What's so great about the goal was that Coronato had an open chance at the corner, but seeing that Drew Commesso sensed this, Coronato took a sense to let Commesso move into that positioning, adjusting his shot to crush a top-shelf wrister the other way. It was a smart play to quickly adapt to Commesso coming into frame. Coronato gave BU trouble all night with his shot, and finally managed to put one past them.
IQ:
The Harvard man Coronato has an unsurprising strong Hockey IQ. His ability to create for himself is rooted in his quick processing and understanding of his space and analysis of the defense.
Forechecking:
Coronato wasn't overly physical here, but that could be due to the very quick paced nature of this matchup. Coronato isn't afraid to dig in for the puck when needed.
Defense:
You didn't get to see much of what Coronato could do defensively in this one. He did show some good Penalty Killing in this game, helping to close down the Terriers, who were constantly pressing every chance they could. If he has that intensity as a PK player, it could be something that translates over to the NHL.
Standout skill today:
It's a bit tiring to always say that his shot was his best aspect, and in no way does it diminish the other aspects of his game (Penalty Killing, IQ), but it's always his bread and butter, and it's one of the reasons why Coronato is one of the best prospects in the game today.
What was missing today?:
Not sure if it was the fact that the game had a lot of transition play, but hopefully at the NHL, we will see what Coronato can do on defense. He's a good Penalty killer, and in time, perhaps a more physically challenging Coronato will be set to appear.
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