One of the secrets to success for a National Hockey League franchise is drafting and development. But it’s not just finding, drafting and developing young players, it’s getting them into the NHL and having them be key contributors while they’re still on their cost-controlled entry level contracts (otherwise known as ELCs).

The fun thing about entry level deals is that, because they can include performance bonuses, teams and players have the ability to have their cake and eat it, too. Yes, players on ELCs have salaries that are capped under the CBA. But because they can get performance bonuses, they can earn a bunch more – and their teams are happy to pay those bonuses out when they’re earned, since they usually mean a young player performed really well.

This season, two Flames regulars were on ELCs and were able to earn performance bonuses: forwards Matt Coronato and Connor Zary.

Via PuckPedia, Coronato’s deal included up to $850,000 in bonuses and Zary’s up to $212,500. We’re told that each player was able to earn what are known as “A” Bonuses, referring to specific statistical milestones for forwards across six categories:

We’re told each player would earn $212,500 per category; Coronato’s bonuses would max out once he received bonuses in four categories, while Zary would max out after one category.

So how did they do?

Unfortunately, Zary didn’t hit on any of his bonuses. He had 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points over 54 games (0.500 points per game). He was seventh among Flames regular forwards in average time on ice, and seventh in plus/minus. (When Zary was healthy he was pretty effective, but his injury in January unfortunately derailed his momentum just as he was starting to really get going offensively.)

However, Coronato had a pretty productive season, and his bonuses reflect that. With Thursday’s game remaining, Coronato has 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points through 76 games (0.605 points per game). He’s fifth among Flames regular forwards in average time on ice and first in plus/minus. As such, Coronato will earn performance bonuses across three categories – time on ice, goals and plus/minus – and his $925,000 salary this season will be boosted by another $637,500 in bonuses.

The Flames have oodles of cap space, so Coronato’s bonuses won’t put much of a dent in their balance sheet, and they’re a pretty nice reward for Coronato for a really strong first full NHL season.

The Flames conclude their 2024-25 schedule on Thursday when they visit the Los Angeles Kings.