3 Trade Destinations for Flames’ Blake Coleman

The Predators could serve as a great trading partner for the Flames, with seven picks in the first two rounds combined in the 2024 and 2025 Drafts. Given that Coleman still has three seasons remaining on his contract with a $4.9 million cap hit, just one of those high picks may be enough for general manager (GM) Craig Conroy to move him.

Arizona Coyotes

Like the Predators, the Arizona Coyotes didn’t enter the season with high expectations but are right in the battle for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Some may argue that they would be better off missing the playoffs and settling for a high pick, but the team has struggled so much in recent years that allowing some of their young players to be in the chase for a playoff spot until the end of the season could be beneficial in itself.

The Coyotes could use some older veterans on their roster, and Coleman fits that bill. He does carry a full no-movement clause until the end of this season, but the Plano, Texas, native might have no issue moving his family to a warmer climate.

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have limited cap room, so a move involving Coleman may have to wait until the offseason. That said, general manager Steve Yzerman has built his lineup with a mix of young talent and veterans, so Coleman seems exactly like the exact type of player he would want to add.

Coleman would make a speedy Red Wings team that much faster and could be a great complementary piece on the third line. The future looks bright in Detroit, so it would make plenty of sense for Coleman to accept a trade there in hopes of chasing down his third Stanley Cup ring.

Moving Coleman Creates Cap Flexibility

While it may be upsetting for some Flames fans to lose Coleman, given how well he is playing, the stats throughout his career suggest this level of play won’t last. Being able to move him while his value is at its peak would be a wise move for Conroy, as it not only brings in future assets but also gives the Flames plenty of cap room moving forward. Whether that will be used to sign free agents or make a trade remains to be seen, but at least it would give the Flames GM plenty of options moving forward.