The Calgary Flames are pushing hard to sign 2021 first-rounder Matt Coronato, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

“The full-court press is on from the Flames,” Friedman said during Saturday’s 32 Thoughts segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “They have indicated very clearly that they want Coronato to join them.”

Calgary selected the right winger 13th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has spent the past two seasons playing for Harvard University, where he’s totalled 38 goals and 72 points over 68 games. 

The 20-year-old native of Greenlawn, New York, tallied four goals and seven points while representing the United States at the 2022 world juniors.

“There still has to be a bit more conversation,” said Friedman. “The player has to make his choice but there is no doubt the Flames have let Coronato know that they are ready for him to come.”

Harvard was eliminated from the NCAA tournament following an 8-1 loss to Ohio State on Friday. With that, Coronato’s college teammate Sean Farrell is also garnering attention.  

The defenceman, who was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2020 draft, is “strongly considering turning pro and joining the Canadiens, but nothing official at this time,” according to Friedman.

The 21-year-old Farrell potted 30 goals and 81 points across 58 games during his two seasons at Harvard.

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To say the least, this has been a chaotic season for the Brooklyn Nets.

It started last summer with Kevin Durant asking to be traded and rumors that Kyrie Irving also wanted to leave, and it continued in the fall when Irving promoted a film with antisemitic material on social media and with the firing of head coach Steve Nash.

Then both Durant and Irving were traded, triggering the start of a long-term rebuilding process.

Then there is the matter of Ben Simmons, the talented but enigmatic player who has played in just 42 games for the Nets since they traded for him last season.

He has been out for over a month with a back issue, and it was announced on Saturday that he will likely miss the rest of this season.

The Nets says Ben Simmons is unlikely to play the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/zH3mOyoNvr

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 25, 2023

Retire.

— ChanTHEman (@theman_chan) March 25, 2023

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Worst contract in NBA history

— Mr. Re:LAX (@RelaxBash) March 25, 2023

Biggest fraud in NBA history

— $IMB2A (@GALSENFREAK91) March 25, 2023

I didn't realize he played at all this season.

— Andrew Wells (@acwells723) March 25, 2023

Historic fall off

— Taz (@Griff092) March 25, 2023

I forgot he was on the team

— BigK (@BIGKBK) March 26, 2023

Top 5 bust all time

— Zagreus (@1zagreus) March 25, 2023

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When Simmons came into the NBA as the first pick in the 2016 draft, many felt he had superstar potential.

However, he never really improved his game, other than becoming one of the league’s better defenders.

He has never developed any ability or willingness to take, let alone make shots outside of the paint, and through it all, he has developed a reputation for being mentally weak.

After his Philadelphia 76ers fell apart in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals and lost in seven games, head coach Doc Rivers said he wasn’t sure if Simmons could be the point guard on a championship team.

The point guard reacted by demanding a trade and cut off almost all communication with the 76ers organization.

Until Simmons plays a full season for the Nets and performs well, many will continue to doubt his mental toughness and dedication to basketball.

The post NBA Fans React To Saturday’s Ben Simmons News appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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Two seasons after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the Atlanta Hawks have been struggling through a disappointing campaign despite the presence of two-time All-Star guard Trae Young.

On Saturday, they defeated the Indiana Pacers, 143-130, but Young got ejected after he aggressively tossed the ball at an official at one point.

Trae Young was ejected vs. the Pacers for throwing the ball at an official. pic.twitter.com/avGJYZ9UD4

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 25, 2023

Before getting tossed, Young had scored 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting while also dishing off five assists.

Some fans don’t seem to have a problem with Young getting ejected as a result of firing the ball at the referee.

I was at the game & saw it live. Luckily the ref caught the ball & it didn’t bounce off his dome. Trae really fired it in there.

— Commodore Schmidlapp (@ChrisNHarrelson) March 26, 2023

This fan feels like Young is starting to make a bad name for himself.

Trae is really writing his own villain script. He’s whining because he got called for foul hunting. Dude really plays the worst brand of basketball and throws a tantrum when he gets a call he doesn’t like.

— Injonito (@injonito) March 25, 2023

But these two fans don’t seem to think Young should’ve been ejected, and they instead blamed the referee who made the decision to toss him.

The refs feelings got hurt

— The Rally Mullet (@TheRallyMullet) March 26, 2023

Refs really have been toxic all year tbh

— Roger Salas (@Not_Javian) March 25, 2023

Last summer, the Hawks traded for guard Dejounte Murray, an emerging All-Star last season for the San Antonio Spurs, and therefore some felt they would be a dark horse team in the Eastern Conference.

Instead, they currently hold a 37-37 record and are in eighth place in the East.

Young is averaging 26.8 points and 10.0 assists per game, but he is shooting just 43.3 percent overall and 34.1 percent from 3-point range.

Some have criticized him for attempting to play like Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, even though he greatly lacks Curry’s outside marksmanship.

However, Atlanta’s real problem is on the defensive end, where it ranks just 22nd in defensive rating.

The 130 points and 54.2 percent field-goal shooting it gave up to the Pacers, a mediocre offensive team, on Saturday is indicative of its struggles on defense.

The post NBA Fans React To Trae Young Throwing Ball At Official appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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