Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Wednesday night, the Calgary Flames were at the Bell Centre to face the Montreal Canadiens.
According to what we’re learning today, the Canadiens’ management group was closely watching one specific player on their Alberta opponent.
Let’s be honest: nothing is going right for the Flames this season. At the time they faced the Habs, they were 30th in the NHL, with 18 wins and 40 points.
It’s no coincidence that rumors suggest GM Craig Conroy will be a seller ahead of the trade deadline.
That’s what hockey insider Pierre LeBrun stated on RDS this Thursday.
Pierre LeBrun wouldn’t be surprised to see the Habs get involved in the Blake Coleman file
So this isn’t a top-line forward, but after Phillip Danault, another bottom-6 player who could be missing from the lineup to stabilize the team’s offense.
Coleman, 34, is the perfect type of player for the playoffs with his rugged style of play, something Montreal is sorely lacking. He’s also an excellent veteran who has two Stanley Cups to his name.
In addition to his experience and toughness, the player who has more than 667 NHL games and 311 points would be an excellent solution for the Canadiens’ penalty kill, which has needed help lately.
The issue here is that the Canadiens have several players set to return to the lineup in the coming weeks.
That’s why LeBrun says the organization would wait until the Olympic break to determine whether or not they truly need to add to the roster.
The 5-foot-11 Flames forward is currently under contract through the end of the 2026-2027 season, with a salary of $4.9M. He also has a clause allowing him to choose 20 teams he does not want to play for.
As LeBrun mentions, several teams would be interested in his services, and we don’t know what price the Flames would be asking, nor whether he’s truly available.
Kent Hughes will therefore need to take his time, but also decide quickly if Coleman becomes available on the market, to avoid overpaying.
He will also have to hope that the Canadiens are on Coleman’s approved list and that he’s willing to come play in Quebec.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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