The Calgary Flames are staring down a tough reality as the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline approaches. After a brief midseason surge that hinted at a turnaround, the team has cooled off significantly and now sits seventh in the Pacific Division. With playoff hopes fading fast, Calgary looks poised to shift gears and become a seller - and they’ve already started making moves.
The first domino to fall was defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights. That trade could be the beginning of a larger sell-off, and while Nazem Kadri's future in Calgary remains uncertain, all signs point to veteran winger Blake Coleman being the next major piece on the move.
Coleman, now 34, isn’t the flashiest name on the market, but he brings a compelling mix of experience, grit, and steady offensive production. Since joining the Flames after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021, he’s carved out a consistent role as a reliable two-way forward. He’s not a headline-grabber, but he’s the kind of player who makes a real impact in the margins - the kind of guy contending teams love to add for a playoff push.
He’s also got a 30-goal season on his résumé, and his current pace suggests he could flirt with the 25-goal mark if he played a full 82-game slate. That kind of production, especially from a winger who plays with an edge and brings postseason pedigree, is going to draw interest. Calgary is expected to seek a return package focused on futures - picks and prospects that can help fuel a longer-term rebuild.
So who’s picking up the phone? Two teams stand out as potential fits for Coleman: the Dallas Stars and the Boston Bruins.
Dallas Stars: A Homecoming with Purpose
The Stars are already one of the Western Conference’s top contenders, boasting a roster loaded with offensive firepower - Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen, and Wyatt Johnston headline a group that can hang with anyone. But come playoff time, depth becomes everything. And that’s where Coleman could be a perfect fit.
Dallas doesn’t need him to be a game-changer - they’ve got that covered. What they need is a reliable middle-six winger who can chip in goals, kill penalties, and bring a playoff-tested mentality into the locker room. Coleman checks all those boxes.
And then there’s the Texas connection. Coleman hails from Plano, just a short drive from Dallas.
A return home to chase another Stanley Cup with his hometown team? That’s the kind of story that writes itself.
The fit - both on the ice and off - makes a lot of sense.
Boston Bruins: Adding Edge to a Late Surge
Over in the East, the Boston Bruins have flipped the script after a rocky start. Under rookie head coach Marco Sturm, they’ve caught fire, winning eight of their last nine and vaulting back into the playoff picture. Now, with momentum on their side, they’re looking to bolster the roster for a second-half push.
Boston already boasts one of the league’s more potent offenses, led by David Pastrnak. But they could use some extra depth on the wings - someone who can take pressure off their top line, contribute on the power play, and bring a little bite to their bottom six. Coleman fits that bill.
Cap space is tight in Boston, which complicates things, but Coleman’s status as a pending free agent makes him a manageable rental. The Bruins wouldn’t have to break the bank or sacrifice top-tier assets to bring him in, and the potential upside - both in terms of on-ice production and locker room presence - is significant.
What Comes Next
As the deadline nears, the Flames are shifting their focus to the future. Blake Coleman may not be the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal, but he’s the kind of player who can quietly tip the scales in a playoff series. Whether it’s a homecoming in Dallas or a playoff push in Boston, Coleman’s next stop could be a meaningful one - and for Calgary, it’s another step in reshaping the roster for what comes next.