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

[Erick Estrada]

I'm bumping this not because Coleman has been bad but I'm starting to get a little worried about the player he's going to be half way into this six year deal. I feel it takes some free agent time to gel with a new team but considering what he brings to the table I can't see him being considerably better than what he is today. It just seems to me like a contract the Flames may have been better off not giving out.

[Heavy Jack]

Coleman played a lot of hockey the prior two years but up until that point was a bit of a late bloomer. I think he’s fine and will add a little more offence here as he continues to acclimate to the team and city but I also don’t think it’s like he’s been invisible either. He likes getting into the grit of the game and I’ve seen him mucking it up between the whistles quite a bit which has been nice to see. Give him another 15 or so games here and I think you will see more elements of what he brings start to shine through in his play.

[dino7c]

#1 on the team for suppressing high danger chances...hockey is more than points.

People are really digging deep for negatives today


Flames record is at least 4 points worse without Coleman

[agulati]

He has looked decent so far. I expect the cap to go up towards the end of his contract as well. 4.9 million will not be as rich a contract as it is right now.

[Toonage]

To me, he's the player he was with the Devils, who I wanted on the Flames back then.

So far, so good. As advertised.

[heep223]

I think Coleman’s been good. He adds a ton of speed, physicality and is great defensively. Great in puck battles, detail oriented player. The points will come

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Flames record is at least 4 points worse without Coleman

Originally Posted by heep223

I think Coleman’s been good. He adds a ton of speed, physicality and is great defensively. Great in puck battles, detail oriented player. The points will come

I think he's been good as well but I just wonder how he's going to look once he gets into his 30's as players like this don't always age well.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I'm bumping this not because Coleman has been bad but I'm starting to get a little worried about the player he's going to be half way into this six year deal. I feel it takes some free agent time to gel with a new team but considering what he brings to the table I can't see him being considerably better than what he is today. It just seems to me like a contract the Flames may have been better off not giving out.

You made this same complaint over and over with Giordano, through the first 3 years of his contract. Then he won the Norris in year 4 and you finally let it go.

This is year 1 of a 6 year deal. We don't know what the later years are going to look like yet, and there is nothing we can do about it, even if we did. So how about we focus on this season for now?

[Knut]

Too much going right for the Flames right now. May as well find something 4 years down the road to be negative about.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by heep223

I think Coleman’s been good. He adds a ton of speed, physicality and is great defensively. Great in puck battles, detail oriented player. The points will come

He’s also got a bit of Tkachuk in him. Keep your head up or he might take it off.

[talladega.25]

Originally Posted by dino7c

#1 on the team for suppressing high danger chances...hockey is more than points.

People are really digging deep for negatives today


Flames record is at least 4 points worse without Coleman

Couldnt agree more. I can tell from my screen at the office watching game highlights on that horrible new SN play configuration that Coleman is a huge beauty. Points aren't everything and he probably spins that cup magic behind closed doors where he rules the kangaroo court and pranks the snot out of guys. Keeping the team loose..super underrated imo.

[TheScorpion]

I'm not worried about Coleman at all. He's been one of Calgary's best two-way players this season. The goals will come.

[jlh2640]

We need more from Dube. Backlund and Coleman for sure. But if they are doing the right things away from offence that I am more than happy because we are winning.

[Goriders]

I was thinking we needed more from minahan’s line last game.

But then I thought about it and this is the best Flames team I have seen in a long time. Just keep doing what your doing. Everyone has a role. Combined we are doing very well. Regardless of salaries or whatnot.

Monahan is a perfect example. He accepted a different role for the betterment of the team. Good for him. That’s really what wins championships. Buy in and depth. The Flames have that in spades this year IMO.

[Mr.Coffee]

What I like about Coleman is that he works hard and looks like he cares about winning.

[Bingo]

My early view is he's not creating as much offensively as I expected ... I am seeing how good he is away from the puck.

But then looking at production rates and salary ...

Coleman is the 134th ranked forward in pay. He's the 140th ranked forward in terms of five on five points per 60.

So I guess he's right where he should be, but is elite defensively adding more value.

[1qqaaz]

He has been just a little worse than I expected. He puts in a consistent effort and is reliable defensively. But he's also small and not overly speedy. I still think this contract will be a complete disaster because of the age and term. He turns 30 in a week, is on pace for 31 points in 82 games, and earns almost 5 mill.

Based on production, he's not even earning his salary in year 1. There are 5 years after this year, and by the end, he'll be one of the oldest forwards in the league.

[AC]

But his salary isn't just for offensive production. He adds so much more in value, plus as Bingo layed out above his production is almost exactly in line with his salary currently.

I would expect his goal scoring to improve, especially as Sutter tinkers with the lines and finds the right mix.

[btimbit]

He's not scoring sure, and will likely score less on the back half, sure.

Still think he's worth 90% of his deal for the PK alone

[keenan87]

For me, I don't mind having 1 high priced defensive specialist (maybe 2). However, when the bottom six has Lucic, Backlund, and Coleman - that is a ton salary tied up.

I would rather somehow figure out a way to spend that money on top 6 forwards who can score... which I think the Flames can really use.