Top prospects for Calgary Flames

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Calgary Flames, according to NHL.com.

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1. Matt Coronato, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 13 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Harvard (NCAA): 34 GP, 18-18-36
Coronato excelled as a freshman last season, leading Harvard in scoring and earning ECAC All-Rookie Team honors one year after he paced the United States Hockey League with 48 goals for Chicago in 2020-21. The 19-year-old won't compete for a roster spot with the Flames after deciding to return to Harvard for his sophomore season, but Coronato (5-foot-10, 183 pounds) remains the prospect in Calgary's system with the most offensive punch.
"His competitiveness, his love for the game, his willingness to work, willingness to do whatever it takes to be successful, unbelievable person, work ethic," Flames development coach Ray Edwards said. "We're obviously really excited about him."
Projected NHL arrival: 2023-24

2. Jakob Pelletier, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 26 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Stockton (AHL): 66 GP, 27-35-62
In his first season of professional hockey, Pelletier (5-10, 180) finished second in goals (27) and points (62) for Stockton of the American Hockey League. The 21-year-old, who served as captain for Moncton and Val-d'Or of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in consecutive seasons and represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2021, is the likely frontrunner among the Flames' prospect pool to earn a roster spot this season.
"That's the next step for him. He's got to come in and force people to make tough decisions. Simple as that," Edwards said. "We've talked to him about that already and he understands the job the next few months brings to him. His mental focus is to come in and make people make tough decisions."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Dustin Wolf, G

How acquired:Selected with No. 214 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Stockton (AHL): 47 GP, 33-9-4, 2.35 GAA, .924 save percentage
Wolf (6-0, 170) had about as a good a season as a goalie could have in his professional debut. He led the AHL with 33 wins and was eighth in GAA (2.35) and fourth in save percentage (.924), all tops among first-year players. He was named an AHL First-Team All-Star and a member of its All-Rookie Team, on top of being the recipient of the Aldege 'Baz' Bastien Memorial Award, presented annually to the AHL's most outstanding goalie. The Flames can afford to be patient with the 21-year-old, who was named the Western Hockey League's top goalie in 2019-20 and 2020-21, with starter Jacob Markstrom signed for four more seasons.
"I think all it is for him now is proving this wasn't a fluke," senior goaltending coach Jordan Sigalet said. "I know he's proved it at the junior level, but let's see him again this year. Is he one, two, or three years away? That's kind of up to him. He needs to become a consistent goalie at the American Hockey League level, consistently one of the best."
Projected NHL arrival:2024-25

4. Connor Zary, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 24 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Stockton (AHL): 53 GP, 13-12-25
Zary (6-0, 180) struggled with an injury early last season, so the 20-year-old will look to rebound in his second go-round in the AHL. Zary, who played for Canada at the 2021 World Junior Championship, is one season removed from having 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) as captain for Kamloops in the WHL, the same season he had seven points (three goals, four assists) in a nine-game audition with Stockton in 2020-21.
Projected NHL arrival: 2023-24

5. Jeremie Poirier, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 72 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Saint John (QMJHL): 67 GP, 16-41-57
Poirier (6-1, 190) will graduate to the pro ranks this season after finishing his junior career with a Memorial Cup championship with Saint John. The offensive-minded defenseman will likely play with Calgary of the AHL after he had 168 points (51 goals, 117 assists) over 225 games in the QMJHL.
"I can't teach the stuff that he has," Edwards said. "On the ice, he's a dynamic, dynamic player in terms of skill, sense, making plays, creating offense; it's the off-ice piece we're continually going to have to work on, getting his body in a position where it can allow him to compete at the pro level."
Projected NHL arrival: 2024-25