Lightning Likely Going To Circle Back On Trade Target From Flames

The Tampa Bay Lightning may not have had the best start to the season, but they have proven themselves to be a powerhouse just past the halfway point in the season. As a top team in the Eastern Conference, they are going to be making additions and could go after someone they traded for at the trade deadline a number of years ago.

Chris Johnston said, "Would it at all be surprising...just knowing the way the Lightning operate, if they circle back on a guy like Blake Coleman?"

Unless the Calgary Flames go on a run, they have taken themselves out of the playoff race in the West, a race that is much weaker than the one in the East too. The Flames are three games under .500, can't score, and are seven points back of a playoff spot with an extra game played. They have to think about selling soon.

Coleman is tied for the scoring lead on the Flames with only 13 goals. He was placed on the injured reserve a few days ago for an upper-body injury, but that shouldn't impact his trade value. The veteran still has another year left on his deal at $4.9 million AAV.

He is a strong two-way player that can fit in the middle-6 of a lineup, something the Tampa Bay Lightning are always looking for at the deadline to bolster their lineup. They have the scoring and top players, but the complementary players who can play hard playoff hockey and have strong two-way abilities are at the top of the list for them.

Coleman was first acquired by the Lightning from the New Jersey Devils in 2019-20 ahead of their first of two Stanley Cup runs that they won. He had eight goals and 24 points in 48 playoff games, was a +11, and had over 200 hits. This is his fifth season with the Flames and he's had one playoff appearance since winning the Cups in Tampa Bay. The Flames would have to retain some money, but teams like the San Jose Sharks have proven that it's not a big deal to retain money for multiple years into the future if it means getting even more assets in return and making the trade.