[Signing] Flames sign Blake Coleman (6 years, $4.9m AAV)

[SuperMatt18]

Just because it seems like some posters are missing it, but they are talking about Backlund not Coleman.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't want to pile on Backlund but that line would produce much more if he could hit the net when presented with quality scoring chances. I have never seen a player with a less accurate shot as when he misses it's not even close a lot of the time.

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Come on. He hit the corner of the arena on that one wide open shot he had. Baby steps.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Ha ha ha. One of his many misses last night was just so bad. He was close in and still managed to miss the net by five feet or more.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Even when he wasn't putting up points, he was doing other things away from the puck. You win with players like this.

He still needs to produce like he is now regardless. If the Flames had a second line putting up some notable production it might be sustainable, but they just don't. Both Coleman and Backlund should be in the 15 goal, 40 point range, and must be for the Flames to put a run together.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

He still needs to produce like he is now regardless. If the Flames had a second line putting up some notable production it might be sustainable, but they just don't. Both Coleman and Backlund should be in the 15 goal, 40 point range, and must be for the Flames to put a run together.

Coleman’s on pace for about 20, Backlund for 12, though his seasons always heat up in the second half.

Coleman is one of those guys who will get 20 because, while he’s not overly skilled offensively, his work rate keeps him around the net a lot. If you watch him, he puts himself in spots where a guy with better hands would have 25-30 goals, not his usual 20 or so.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

Coleman signing here still blows my mind by the way; American player from Texas, has only ever played in America, has a Texan partner who was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, a very young family to boot. The whole story doesn't scream "sign in Canada first chance they get".

Obviously the Flames paid and paid well for his services but no doubt other options were available to them. They seem genuinely happy here as well.

Not going to overthink it but hopefully it's a good sign of things to come with our high profile American free agents. I'm also still bitter at Adam Fox

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

He still needs to produce like he is now regardless. If the Flames had a second line putting up some notable production it might be sustainable, but they just don't. Both Coleman and Backlund should be in the 15 goal, 40 point range, and must be for the Flames to put a run together.

The point is that hes not useless like Brouwer and Neal when hes not getting points. And he is on pace for the 20 Goals, and the way he's picking up steam will probably be over 40 pts. Thats mostly 5v5 production too.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

Coleman signing here still blows my mind by the way; American player from Texas, has only ever played in America, has a Texan partner who was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, a very young family to boot. The whole story doesn't scream "sign in Canada first chance they get".

Obviously the Flames paid and paid well for his services but no doubt other options were available to them. They seem genuinely happy here as well.

Not going to overthink it but hopefully it's a good sign of things to come with our high profile American free agents. I'm also still bitter at Adam Fox

A lot of American players like playing in Alberta. Not every American wants to live in NYC. Coleman is from a smaller city in Texas. He probably wants to live somewhere low key, where he can buy a large property, have horses, participate in motorsports, go hunting, etc...

His fiance is from the same smaller city in Texas and went to Texas Christian University. Neither seem like big city people. Apart from the weather, they could probably set up a similar life to the one they had in Texas in Alberta.

There's a number of players who specifically target markets like Calgary. But year, obviously not Adam Fox.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

Coleman signing here still blows my mind by the way; American player from Texas, has only ever played in America, has a Texan partner who was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, a very young family to boot. The whole story doesn't scream "sign in Canada first chance they get".

Obviously the Flames paid and paid well for his services but no doubt other options were available to them. They seem genuinely happy here as well.

Not going to overthink it but hopefully it's a good sign of things to come with our high profile American free agents. I'm also still bitter at Adam Fox

Calgary is an appealing niche for some players. It really depends on their personality and where they are in life. Take someone like Coleman. He's a "western" guy with a young family and likes nature; Calgary was an ideal place to play. The Flames also have an image of being an organization that appreciates their workhorses.

Markstrom is another good example. When he was in Vancouver, he was considered a low-key guy that just wanted to focus on hockey, the outdoors, and home life. He wasn't looking for the things that larger markets are known for.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

The point is that hes not useless like Brouwer and Neal when hes not getting points. And he is on pace for the 20 Goals, and the way he's picking up steam will probably be over 40 pts. Thats mostly 5v5 production too.

People also need to look at the way Sutter deploys players. He gives his most skilled guys a lion's share of the best opportunities. Sutter very much users a probability type style of coaching. In that kind of a system you're going to see your 2nd and 3rd liners get fewer points, as they are expected to grind and play defence more.

And yes, Colmean is nothing like Neal/Brouwer. Coleman works every shift. He's not the most talented player but brings a lot of jam. Overpaid, but that's what happens when you sign UFAs. Realistically, Coleman is probably worth $4.5-5 million, but Calgary had to pay the UFA tax.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Calgary is an appealing niche for some players. It really depends on their personality and where they are in life. Take someone like Coleman. He's a "western" guy with a young family and likes nature; Calgary was an ideal place to play. The Flames also have an image of being an organization that appreciates their workhorses.

Markstrom is another good example. When he was in Vancouver, he was considered a low-key guy that just wanted to focus on hockey, the outdoors, and home life. He wasn't looking for the things that larger markets are known for.

That's a good point about Markstrom. Many Swedish players (not guys like Lundqvist) also seem to really like playing in Calgary. Same deal. Many come from smaller cities in Sweden, where the focus is on sport and the outdoors.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by blankall

People also need to look at the way Sutter deploys players. He gives his most skilled guys a lion's share of the best opportunities. Sutter very much users a probability type style of coaching. In that kind of a system you're going to see your 2nd and 3rd liners get fewer points, as they are expected to grind and play defence more.

And yes, Colmean is nothing like Neal/Brouwer. Coleman works every shift. He's not the most talented player but brings a lot of jam. Overpaid, but that's what happens when you sign UFAs. Realistically, Coleman is probably worth $4.5-5 million, but Calgary had to pay the UFA tax.

Totally agree. Coleman is making 4.9 though.

[dino7c]

Unless he was flat out lying Coleman said he had similar and even bigger $$ offers elsewhere. He liked the coach and city (mountains and bow river played a large part)

I don't doubt he had massive offers after those last two playoffs...without even considering he might be coming to the Flames he stuck out to me big time in watching the playoffs on a deep Tampa team.

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

I'm also still bitter at Adam Fox

I'm not. The two players acquired in the trade have been absolute dynamite for this team. The Flames won that trade.

Originally Posted by blankall

A lot of American players like playing in Alberta. Not every American wants to live in NYC. Coleman is from a smaller city in Texas. He probably wants to live somewhere low key, where he can buy a large property, have horses, participate in motorsports, go hunting, etc...

His fiance is from the same smaller city in Texas and went to Texas Christian University. Neither seem like big city people. Apart from the weather, they could probably set up a similar life to the one they had in Texas in Alberta.

Same kind of situation with Bo Levi Mitchell. He loves it here.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Same kind of situation with Bo Levi Mitchell. He loves it here.

It's kind of impressive that he's taken multiple pay cuts to remain a Stampeder.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

Coleman signing here still blows my mind by the way; American player from Texas, has only ever played in America, has a Texan partner who was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, a very young family to boot. The whole story doesn't scream "sign in Canada first chance they get".

Obviously the Flames paid and paid well for his services but no doubt other options were available to them. They seem genuinely happy here as well.

Not going to overthink it but hopefully it's a good sign of things to come with our high profile American free agents. I'm also still bitter at Adam Fox

The Flames offered him more money. Money trumps most everything else.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The Flames offered him more money. Money trumps most everything else.

Is that a fact or is it something you assume? Do you know the other offers?

[jaikorven]

Didn't we hear from someone in the media that he took a lower AAV to come here? I read that somewhere I swear

[agulati]

I think the discussion prior to free agency was that Coleman wanted to have his pay day and would go where the money was. He had been on a steal of a contract prior to this one.

[Enoch Root]

Glad to see people are coming around on Coleman, he's a great player.

Yes, his production hasn't been where we would like, or expect - until recently, anyway - but it is important to keep in mind where he has been playing. Backlund has struggled a fair bit this year, especially offensively, and they have had a carousel on the other wing (none of whom have been good). You just can't expect big offensive numbers from him when his line has been doing nothing. And they also get the tough assignments.

I expect (okay, hope) Backlund will be better in the second half, as he usually is. And with that, their production should improve. It would also be nice if they get a solid winger to join them. I still think Pelletier would be perfect for that line - good defensively, fast, constant motor, and a good forechecker.

I expect he'll be more productive in the second half, and hit 40 points. And then he will become a fan favourite, once the playoffs start.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by jaikorven

Didn't we hear from someone in the media that he took a lower AAV to come here? I read that somewhere I swear

It's likely the Flames added a year to the term to bump the overall contract value up. Despite turning 30 this year, Coleman only had 301 NHL games played and 66 in the AHL. I remember Treliving saying they were comfortable with the term at his age given his fitness and that he was a lower milage player. Sam Bennett for example...had 412 games played end of last season.
Noah Hanifin 436. So Flames think he can still be productive when he's 35/36 in spite of his age.

[D as in David]

A lot of comments about Backlund typically heating up in the second half of a season; that's my perception, too, but do the stats back it up?