NHL Insider Reveals What the Calgary Flames are Looking for in a Blake Coleman Trade

The Calgary Flames have moved out many veterans over the past three seasons, and in the process, they've added significant draft capital to help them through the rebuild that they have clearly begun in recent times. Moving forward, they don't have as many experienced veterans as they once did, but there's still going to be major opportunities for the Flames to add some more pieces for the future of the franchise.

The last significant trade asset the current Flames core has is Blake Coleman, and while not many expected him to remain in Calgary through the trade deadline, even fewer people see him starting the 2026/27 regular season with the Flames. Whether it comes at the draft or closer to training camp, the expectation is that he will be dealt this off-season, and it could see Calgary get another draft pick or a quality young prospect.

According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun however, the Flames aren't after the former in a Coleman trade, as he revealed that the team are looking for a 'hockey trade' with Coleman, rather than one that nets them more draft capital.

"Calgary is willing to make a hockey trade involving Coleman but not a picks deal. The Flames have so many draft picks, it doesn’t make sense for them to gather more. But if there’s a hockey trade that makes sense, they would look at that."

Pierre LeBrun

Given all of the draft assets the Flames currently have, it makes sense that the team would rather young, NHL ready players over more draft picks, but if the right offer comes in, the Flames would be crazy to turn down significant draft capital.

While it's unclear what offers currently have been for Coleman, it's likely that the Flames will want to move on from him this summer, and if there's a team out there that wants to give up players in a hockey deal, it increases the likelihood of a deal this off-season significantly.