The Montreal Canadiens are looking at ways to improve their roster as the trade deadline gets closer. The team has had a mix of wins and losses this season and is trying to stay competitive in the Atlantic Division. A veteran forward has emerged as a possible target, but getting him may not be simple.
Montreal could face competition from other teams and will need to handle several challenges if it wants to make a deal.
Montreal Canadiens Are Getting Linked to Blake Coleman Ahead of the Deadline
Blake Coleman, 34, left wing and alternate captain for the Calgary Flames, has become a top name in trade talks. Coleman is a two-time Stanley Cup champion known for his physical play, strong forechecking, and versatility. This season, he has 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points in 44 games, with a plus-10 rating, showing he is a reliable two-way forward.
Coleman missed Calgary’s 2-1 win against the Penguins on Saturday because of an upper-body injury from the previous game against Boston. Despite his absence, the Flames got key goals from Connor Zary and Matt Coronato to secure the win.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman spoke about Coleman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, saying, “I don’t think he would be upset at all if he stayed in Calgary. But the one thing is, there’s been a lot of talk about Montreal, and what I understand with Coleman is that I had some other teams that were telling me not to buy into the Montreal possibility, that there’s other teams that may have an advantage here.”
Friedman’s comments suggest that Montreal will face competition if it wants the veteran forward.
TSN insider Pierre LeBrun also discussed Coleman on Thursday’s Early Trading show, saying, “It is my understanding that Blake Coleman is high on [Montreal’s trade] list. Blake Coleman is a player of interest. He’s a guy who brings some elements that the Habs are not as high on, his physicality, his versatility, and the two-time Stanley Cup champion.
“He is of interest to a lot of teams. He’s the player that Calgary gets the most calls on and have since the start of the season.” This shows Montreal is not the only team considering a move for Coleman.
READ MORE: Canadiens Insider Addresses Montreal’s Chances of Landing Stanley Cup Champ Goalie
Drafted 75th overall by New Jersey in 2011, Coleman has developed the skills of a good middle-six forward. He knows how to create space in tight areas, supporting the defense, and driving transition play. For Montreal, adding him could provide leadership and depth. However, his $29.4 million contract, which will run for another year after this season, will require careful planning, especially with the salary cap in mind.
With the trade deadline approaching, Montreal faces a challenging path to land Coleman. He could make an immediate impact on the ice, but competition from other teams and cap concerns make any trade difficult. The Canadiens will need to act carefully to strengthen their lineup for another playoff push after advancing to the playoffs last year.
