It’s that time of year, folks. The rumor mill is churning, and in Calgary, the big names dominating the chatter have been Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson. But as an NHL analyst, I’ll tell you to look past the obvious. Pierre LeBrun hit the nail on the head: while the Flames aren’t actively shopping Blake Coleman, he’s the guy rival GMs are quietly blowing up Craig Conroy’s phone about.
And frankly, I’m not surprised. This is exactly the kind of player winning teams covet.
Why Coleman’s Value Transcends the Rebuild
Let’s be clear: Kadri’s contract is a beast, and moving a top-pairing D-man like Andersson signals a full-on teardown. Trading Coleman? That’s just smart asset management. At 33, he’s a versatile, high-energy winger with two Stanley Cup rings. He’s the definition of a player who “knows how to win.” Teams headed for the playoffs are desperate for that kind of grit, penalty-killing prowess, and secondary scoring.
The contract is the sticking point, but it’s not prohibitive. He’s signed through 2026-27 at a $4.9 million AAV. That’s a reasonable cap hit for what he brings. Yes, he has a 10-team approved trade list, giving him some control, but for a chance to win again, you can bet he’d be open to the right fit.
The New Jersey Devils are the obvious team to watch. It’s where Coleman started, and they’re looking to take that next step. After acquiring Toffoli and Markstrom from Calgary in past deals, there’s a clear line of communication between these two front offices. A Coleman reunion in New Jersey just makes too much sense—he’s the perfect veteran presence for their young, skilled core.
While the Flames maintain they aren’t “shopping” him, the calls are coming in. If Conroy gets an offer by the March 6 NHL trade deadline that respects Coleman’s value—likely a solid draft pick and a decent prospect—he’ll have to listen. Because in the NHL, when contenders come calling for your toughest players, it’s not just smoke; it’s the start of a fire.
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The post The Real Trade Asset: Why Blake Coleman is the Calgary Flames Forward GMs Actually Want appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
