The Calgary Flames 2026/27 lineup isn't one that's going to be full of elite level talent, but if given the opportunity, there's a young core group of players that have the chance to make a true name for themselves on the national level this season.
One such player is Matt Coronato, who led the Flames in scoring in 2025/26, and while it wasn't a career year for the 23-year-old, the former first-round draft pick showed his potential again, so what can we expect from him in the season ahead?
Matt Coronato led the Flames in Scoring in 2025/26
In 2024/25, Matt Coronato flashed genuine star power as a goal scorer, tallying 24 across 77 games, and with an elite level wrist shot, the hope was that he could take a leap a year ago. Unfortunately, he struggled to find a consistent role, and with puck luck clearly not being on his side, that didn' thappen, as Coronato ended the season with 18 goals and 45 points across 80 games played.
That number may not look too impressive, but for a Flames team that ranked 32nd in the NHL in goals scored at 2.54 per game, it's even more impressive that a 23-year-old could do that with very little talent around him. Cumulatively over the past two years, Coronato has 42 goals and 92 points in 157 games played, but after posting 15 points in his final 20 games, there's better days coming for the talented winger.
What Will Matt Coronato's Role be in 2026/27?
Last season, it was unclear where Coronato would play either at 5v5 and on the powerplay, but with the departure of some key veterans and his performance down the stretch, his role should be much more defined heading into the 2026/27 season.
That role will see him play top line PP minutes while being paired with Morgan Frost and Matvei Gridin on the first line, and after seasons of 180 and 197 shots, don't be shocked to see him surpass 200 in the season ahead. With puck luck on his side, it's a matter of when, not if Coronato hits 30 goals for the first time in his career, and if he can stay healthy and work on his playmaking abilities which we saw alongside Gridin for the latter stages of 2025/26, he could take all parts of his game to a new level.
Obviously, all of that depends on how much Ryna Huska trusts him, but down the stretch the Head Coach showed that he does trust him, so if he gets given a role that allows him to fulfill his potential, this should be a career year for the Flames top scorer in 2025/26.
Final Predictions for Coronato in 2026/27 (based on the assumption of 82 games of health): 32 goals, 26 assists, 58 points.
Add us as a preferred source on Google