Flames bring Coleman in on big deal

*Photo from Sporting News*

   One of the biggest bottom 6 difference makers is on his way to Alberta. The Calgary Flames have signed C Blake Coleman to a 6 year, $29.4 million contract, with a $4.9 million AAV, according to Pierre Lebrun of TSN. The Flames have confirmed the deal.

   Coleman said of joining the Flames that "We like to be around good people. It sounds like the people in Calgary are just wholesome people and the lifestyle is very comfortable for families. It's still a very passionate fan base, and hockey is a big deal in that town, and that's important to us as well. It really checked both sides of the boxes that we were really trying to dive into and that was ultimately our ultimate piece to make the decision."

   In his 1 1/2 seasons in Tampa Bay, Coleman played a pivotal role in helping the Lightning win back to back cups, with his 4th line grit and physicality, plus an injection of offense, particularly in this year's playoffs. In 23 playoff games last season, he scored 3 goals and dished out 8 assists. He became a member of the Lightning last season after being traded from the New Jersey Devils. 

   In the regular season last year, Coleman tallied 14 goals and 17 assists, with a +15 plus/minus in an ATOI of 15:28, playing in 55 regular season games. In his career, spanning 5 seasons, Coleman has 71 goals and 55 assists, with a -4 plus/minus in 301 games. 

   Coleman said of the Flames that "They missed playoffs last year but they've been a good team, competitive team the last five years. They have high-end skill. They have some depth. They have good goaltending now. I think there's a lot of good pieces. In this league, the parity is so strong in my opinion that any team that makes the playoffs has a chance to win the whole thing. I think based off my talks with people about Sutter and how he runs things and the way I play, it seemed like a good fit in that aspect as well."

   The Flames have also traded for D Nikita Zadorov and forward Trevor Lewis to an NHL contract, along with the signing of Coleman.