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Is There Another Devils Trade With the Flames Brewing?
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- Is There Another Devils Trade With the Flames Brewing?
Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The New Jersey Devils are one of the NHLs hottest teams to start the 2025-26 season. They sit at the top of the Metropolitan Division with a three-point cushion, and are second overall in the NHL. It's early, still, but most assumed coming into the season that the Devils were playoff-bound. Their early play reinforces that notion. Thus, they'll certainly be buyers at some point down the line. In fact, one insider suggests that they're already snooping around the Calgary Flames , with interest in a familiar face.
On the latest DFO Rundown: Insider Edition, David Pagnotta explains he believes the Devils have expressed interest in bringing back forward Blake Coleman .
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"And we've talked about this before; we've talked about a guy like Blake Coleman, former Devil now in Calgary with another year on his contract, being a fantastic complementary piece for a Stanley Cup contender, like New Jersey . I think that's the case. I think he's on their radar; I think he's on a few teams' radars."
As Pagnotta stated, others will have interest as well. However, Coleman has say in his future with a 10-team approved trade list. His contract that carries a $4.9 million cap hit expires at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
Perhaps that works to the Devils' advantage. Or, perhaps not.
Coleman is currently playing on the Flames' third line, centered by Mikael Backlund . If the Devils are to bring back the ex-forward, it's likely in a similar role.
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At this point, New Jersey may not need another top-six forward. Arseny Gritsyuk continues to prove himself on a night. He's riding shotgun with Jack Hughes on the Devils' top line. Dawson Mercer is up there as well to round out the trio. Each of the three forwards is having an excellent season.
On the second line, it's unlikely Coleman dethrones any of Timo Meier , Nico Hischier , and Jesper Bratt .
Thus, the Devils looking at Coleman is certainly for depth scoring purposes. The 33-year-old forward is a one-time 30-goal scorer in Calgary during the 2023-24 season.
However, he averages somewhere between 15 and 20 goals in most seasons before and after.
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In fact, just a few weeks ago, Pagnotta noted on Devils Rink Report show on YouTube that Coleman is the kind of player the Devils should go for, as they're flush with star talent. Instead of ponying up for a guy like Nazem Kadri , Coleman suits more of what New Jersey needs.
"[Kadri] is a premium," Pagnotta noted. "I don't think they pay the price, and I don't think they need to, I would rather them go after Coleman or something along those lines… I like their top-six, if I'm adding, it's that energy, physical type player. It can really stabilize the third unit. Those are the kind of pieces I would be looking at."
It certainly makes sense given the Devils' recent history. The third line has been a revolving door in the wake of injuries. Cody Glass has now been hurt twice, Connor Brown has been out, although, is hopefully returning soon, and Evgenii Dadonov remains sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Coleman certainly stabilizes the bottom-six, even with Stefan Noesen and Ondrej Palat present.
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The lines of communication are open between New Jersey and Calgary. That's how the Devils received both Tyler Toffoli and Jacob Markstrom .
Perhaps, the two sides can help each other out once more.
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