The Calgary Flames have signed forward Blake Coleman to a six-year deal worth $4.9 million per season. A player many thought would be going to the Boston Bruins, the Flames pick up a forward who has Stanley Cup pedigree but is also skilled and physical. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic confirms the deal and fans are happy to add the player but wondering about the price the Flames are paying. It’s a big investment.
Coleman was a piece that a number of teams were looking at in free agency. That could be why the Flames offered such a substantial deal. Coleman has scored at a 20-goal pace in three consecutive seasons and done so with limited power play time. He’s fast, he’s heavy on the forecheck and he’s an ideal winger for a lot of teams who need a demon in the playoffs.
The 29-year-old center had 31 points for the Lightning last season, tallying 14 goals and 17 assists.
There will be debate now about what it means for the Flames. Is this a player to add to what Matthew Tkachuk brings on a nightly basis? Or, is this the kind of addition that allows the Flames to consider a trade involving Tkachuk? Coleman and Tkachuk offer a lot of the same attributes.
As for the Lightning, this is another big loss for the team who will now have to lean on younger players who the organization hopes will be ready to take the next step this coming season.
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