With the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze looming on February 4, front offices across the league are working the phones with a little extra urgency. That date effectively creates a temporary trade deadline, as teams won’t be able to execute deals during the Winter Games in Milan. In other words, if a team’s looking to make a move, the clock is ticking.
One of the more active teams in the rumor mill? The Calgary Flames.
They’ve already moved defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but they’re far from done. Several other names are drawing interest, and at the top of that list is veteran forward Blake Coleman.
Coleman is in the second-to-last year of a deal that carries a $4.9 million cap hit, and his skill set makes him a prime target for contenders. He’s a two-time Stanley Cup champion, and his game fits the playoff mold: gritty, defensively responsible, and capable of chipping in 20 goals a season. He’s also a key asset on the penalty kill and brings a physical edge that teams covet in the postseason grind.
At 34, Coleman isn’t a long-term play, but for teams eyeing a deep run this spring, he checks a lot of boxes. He’s the kind of third-liner who can tilt a series with timely goals and momentum-shifting shifts. Calgary could wait and flip him as a rental next year, but the demand now might be too strong to pass up.
And keep an eye on the reunion storylines. The New Jersey Devils, who originally drafted Coleman, could be in the mix.
He’s versatile enough to play center in a pinch, which adds to his value. There’s also chatter about a possible return to the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he helped win back-to-back Cups.
That kind of familiarity can go a long way when teams are looking for plug-and-play pieces.
So far this season, Coleman has 13 goals and 21 points through 44 games. That’s solid production for a player who thrives in the hard areas of the ice and doesn’t need top-line minutes to make an impact.
But Coleman isn’t the only Flame drawing attention. Center Nazem Kadri leads the second tier of potential trade targets - the “Names to keep an eye on” category. Kadri’s name has surfaced in trade rumors before, and this year, the chatter feels a little louder.
It’s a tricky situation for Flames GM Craig Conroy. Calgary’s clearly in a transitional phase, having moved several core pieces in recent seasons.
But even in a rebuild, you need veterans who can show the younger players how to compete, how to win. Kadri fits that mold.
He’s an emotional leader, a proven scorer, and someone who can set the tone in a locker room.
That said, Kadri’s value on the market is significant. He’s under contract at $7 million annually through the 2028-29 season and holds a 13-team no-trade list.
So any deal would require some maneuvering. But for a team looking to add a top-six center with edge and playoff experience, he’s a compelling option.
The Minnesota Wild are reportedly interested, especially after the Canadiens landed Phillip Danault. Dallas could also be a fit - they’ve got the pieces and the playoff aspirations to make a move like this work.
Finally, there’s Ryan Lomberg, who lands in the “Theoretical trade chips if their teams fall out of contention” category. He’s not a headline name, but if the Flames slide out of the playoff picture, he could become a depth option for teams looking to bolster their bottom six.
With the Olympic freeze fast approaching, the next two weeks could bring a flurry of activity. For Calgary, it’s a chance to reshape the roster even further - and for contenders, it’s an opportunity to add battle-tested pieces like Coleman and Kadri before the window slams shut.