We have good news and bad news, folks. The bad news is the Calgary Flames will be without one of their first-round selections, 2020 top pick Connor Zary, on a day-to-day basis due to an upper body injury. The good news is that the Flames have called up 2021 first-round pick Matt Coronato from the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers.
Coronato has spent a good amount of time in the NHL this season, having played 15 games with the Flames, recording a goal and three points. In 40 AHL games, he has 15 goals and 42 points. Coronato’s a skilled offensive player and at 21 years of age, he’s working on filling out the rest of his game. He’s been making good progress and getting playing time in every game situation for the Wranglers. With Zary’s temporary lack of availability, adding Coronato gives the Flames the ability to mix and match their top nine group a bit.
Zary likely suffered the injury in Saturday’s win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He went down the tunnel twice – once in the first period and again in the third period – with his evening ending after one shift in the third period. In his absence, Jakob Pelletier was pressed into service on the second line. Since being recalled in early November, Zary has quietly become an important player for the Flames and a dark horse Calder Trophy contender. In 50 games with the Flames, almost exclusively with Nazem Kadri and Martin Pospisil, Zary has 12 goals and 29 points.
With the roster move, the Flames are up to 23 players on their active roster: two goaltenders, seven defencemen and 14 forwards.
The Flames are back in action on Monday evening when they host the Seattle Kraken.
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