As the new year approaches, the Calgary Flames are at a pivotal position for their future. They currently stand two points from being dead last in the entire NHL, as it’s clear that the team’s best interest is to get a high draft pick. With that comes the question of when the Flames are truly going to embrace this opportunity and officially become sellers. With multiple veterans on the team who have been involved in trade rumors, the Flames have an amazing chance to accumulate future assets for their rebuild.

One player that has interested many teams around the league has apparently been Blake Coleman. The 33-year old forward has two more years on his contract with an AAV of $4.9 million. With Coleman being an established winner and a proven playoff performer, he’s a player contending teams would salivate over. However, according to recent updates, the Ottawa Senators have been mentioned as a potential suitor for the veteran winger. Would both teams be able to make a deal?

Senators have checked in on Coleman

According to Senators reporter Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa has engaged in some conversations with the Flames regarding the availability of Coleman. Obviously, nothing has been imminent, but it’s an interesting fit given how the Senators are on the rise and want to take that next step.

Bruce Garrioch: Re Senators: We do not doubt that Staios has held talks with [Flames] GM Craig Conroy. Is Blake Coleman, who is making $4.9 million on a contract that expires in 2027, a fit for the Senators? – Ottawa Sun (12/15)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) December 19, 2025

It’s also been mentioned by NHL insider Frank Seravalli that almost 20 teams have expressed interest in Coleman. As we get closer to the trade deadline, we can only expect that interest to increase, especially if the Flames remain at the bottom of the standings.

Regarding the fit, Coleman would be a significant addition to the Senators’ bottom-six. As mentioned, he brings a winning pedigree as well as more veteran leadership to a team that has a prominent young core. He is a strong offensive contributor and excels in special-team scenarios such as the penalty kill.

What assets would the Flames want?

Looking at Ottawa’s assets and prospect pipeline, they have a decent amount to work with. While their prospect pool is quite weak, the Sens have most of their draft picks in 2027 and 2028. Regarding Coleman, he’s been one of the Flames’ most prominent players so far this season. He has 10 goals and 17 points in 37 games, and is on pace for another 20+ goal season.

It’s looking like this year’s trade market yet again benefit the sellers. So in that case, the possibility of Coleman netting back a 1st round pick isn’t unrealistic, especially since the team that acquires him wouldn’t be getting strictly a rental.

I think a reasonable return for Coleman starts with a 2nd round pick. The Senators do have a 2nd in 2027 and 28, but they also have 1sts in those drafts as well. I also think a Coleman trade involves only draft picks, as the Senators have little to no prospects that would likely interest the Flames.

Would Coleman to Ottawa make sense?

So would the Senators be a realistic landing spot for Coleman? Well, for starters, they currently don’t have the cap space to take on his full contract amount, as their projected cap space via PuckPedia is approximatly $2.7 million, so salary retention would be needed. If the Flames do retain, I’m sure they’d want a better return as well.

It’s also important to note that Coleman currently possesses a modified NTC, which includes a 10-team trade list. Is it likely that Ottawa is on the list of destinations where Coleman would want to go? Not so sure.

In my opinion, the assets are there for Ottawa to make a deal, but in this case, it depends on whether Coleman has the desire to play in the nation’s capital. The Senators currently rank fifth in the Atlantic Division, with a 18-13-5 record. I think if Coleman had the opportunity to play in the States, such as for his hometown team Dallas Stars, he’d likely prefer that option over Ottawa. Regardless, if interest in Coleman is increasing, the Flames must take advantage of it.

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