Sam Honzek is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
And that means it’s Matt Coronato’s turn for some time alongside Nazem Kadri and Andrei Kuzmenko.
Playing with Kadri has been almost a right of passage for young players in the Calgary Flames lineup over the past year.
Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil had their time last season and Honzek got some games in to start this season before getting hurt in Tuesday’s win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Now, it’s Coronato’s time.
After impressing in two games in a fourth-line role and scoring twice against the Blackhawks, he was skating on what is arguably the Flames’ top trio during Thursday morning’s practice at the Canmore Recreation Centre.
“I’m just looking forward to it,” the 21-year-old said. “They’re both so skilled and play the game at such a high level, so for me, I just want to work hard and make some plays.”
That does seem to be the message for Coronato. Everyone is well aware of his offensive skill set. He’s lit the lamp at every level and has impressed in training camp the last two years.
But it’s going to be his work winning battles along the boards and going into the tough areas that’s going to keep him playing big minutes in the NHL.
That’s what impressed his coaches while he was playing alongside Justin Kirkland and Ryan Lomberg for the two games he’s played this season, and the Flames don’t want him getting away from that approach now that he’s slotted in alongside Kadri and Kuzmenko.
“I think he’ll be just fine,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “Just keep playing the same way he’s been playing the last two games. Nothing has to change because he’s on a different line or wearing a different colour in practice. Just play the same way.
“He’s had success because he’s been tenacious and he’s been a responsible player, just do the same things he’s been doing.”
Honzek’s injury means the Flames are certainly having their depth tested early in the season. That arguably makes it even more impressive that they’ve started the 2024-25 season undefeated with a 4-0-0 record.
Honzek wasn’t even supposed to start the season next to Kadri and Kuzmenko. The plan was for Yegor Sharangovich to be in that spot, but he’s out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
That means Coronato will be the third winger to slot in next to Kadri and Kuzmenko in only a few short weeks, although there doesn’t seem to be any serious concern about there being a drop-off.
“They’re both guys that can shoot and make plays,” Kadri said. “Matty C’s done a great job coming into the lineup and had a fantastic game last game.
“We’re hoping he can keep that going and generate some speed and some tenacity on the pucks, which is what we’re going to need.”
Team bonding
The Flames spent Wednesday evening in Banff for a night of team-building that involved a team dinner and some bowling before waking up and getting to Canmore for Thursday’s practice.
It’s something they would have liked to do during training camp but their schedule didn’t allow for it until this week.
After starting the season with four straight wins and being greeted by a big crowd of fans in Canmore, the vibes can be comfortably described as “great.”
There was, however, one disagreement.
Asked who were the best and worst bowlers on the Flames roster, MacKenzie Weegar highlighted Jonathan Huberdeau’s prowess at knocking down pins and then made a sensational claim about who he thought ranked lowest.
“Naz had a tough go,” Weegar said with a big smile. “It’s nice when Naz has a tough go, it makes me feel a bit better.”
Kadri, for his part, had a different memory of how Wednesday night played out.
“That’s completely false,” Kadri said. “I think I beat him on multiple occasions, I think he’s still licking his wounds but we’ll give him a day or so.”