The Olympic roster freeze has been lifted, and teams are free to make any moves ahead of the trade deadline. The Flames have several players who may be on the move ahead of the March 6th deadline. One of the names floating around is Blake Coleman. Coleman missed games before the break with an upper-body injury but is set to return to the lineup. Is there a chance we see Coleman moved ahead of next Friday’s deadline?
Say what?
Coleman met with the media last week after returning to Calgary. He shared that the break felt more like the offseason since he went back home to Texas and settled into his day-to-day routine. Coleman told reporters that he told the trainers they’d be sick of him. He acknowledges that his name has been in the mix of trade rumours. A very calm, cool, relaxed Coleman shared he understands, and that’s where things are at.
It’s nice to see the veteran forward looking so refreshed after battling an injury through the break. It’s also refreshing to see someone be so transparent with the media. Is that a sign that he’s accepted his fate ahead of next week?
Coleman shared that his wife and three young kids will remain in the Dallas area for the season. That might raise some eyebrows to the casual viewer, but Jordan Coleman is expecting baby number four in April. I would imagine it’d be a lot easier to prepare for an early spring baby in the place you spend your offseason with your family around.
Fun fact: Blake Coleman was traded from New Jersey to Tampa Bay when Jordan was heavily pregnant with their first child.
Pros of trading for Coleman
Coleman is in year five of his six-year deal, which makes him a slightly more attractive candidate than someone on an expiring deal. You’re going to get more return for him this spring rather than next. If Andrew Mangiapane fetched you a second, I think you could get the same for Coleman. Maybe another draft pick or prospect, depending on whether it becomes a bidding war.
The Flames have one retention spot left and aren’t in a hurry to use it on Nazem Kadri. It’d be more likely for the Flames to reserve that spot and use it as leverage for a Kadri trade rather than Coleman. However, with Jacob Markstrom coming off the books this offseason, maybe the Kadri trade waits until the summer.
Counting down the days
Calgary Flames General Manager Craig Conroy knows he has a job to do. Trading away veterans like Kadri and Coleman would be a major shift in the culture that the team cares so much about. Defenceman Mackenzie Weegar is also drawing interest from other teams. Could all three be the next dominoes to fall in this rebiggle?
As for Coleman, anything is possible. With Conroy’s extension signed, it’s clear ownership trusts him to get the job done. Moving Rasmus Andersson was a tall task, but it was accomplished.
In Craig We Trust?
