Sam Hitchcock: Where Blake Coleman Fits on the Bolts

Bolts fans,
Devil fan here and all I can tell you is you ate getting one tough SOB hockey player who helps improve your already stocked team. Helps your PP squad and is always capable of producing short handed points as well. I think he goes a long way at making you a Stanley Cup champ and with the talent you already have could easily see Coleman giving a Conn Smythe worthy performance come playoff time. Good luck in TB Blake and thanks for always being a reason to watch the Devils no matter what our record was!

Bolts fans,
Devil fan here and all I can tell you is you ate getting one tough SOB hockey player who helps improve your already stocked team. Helps your PP squad and is always capable of producing short handed points as well. I think he goes a long way at making you a Stanley Cup champ and with the talent you already have could easily see Coleman giving a Conn Smythe worthy performance come playoff time. Good luck in TB Blake and thanks for always being a reason to watch the Devils no matter what our record was!
- RussH1964

During our playoff series two years ago, Coleman was one of the players I hated seeing on the ice. He seemed to work his ass off ever shift. From memory, him and Hall were your best players during the postseason. Even though I think we overpayed a bit, I'm excited to see him on the Lightning. The length and salary of his contract are just icing on the cake.

During our playoff series two years ago, Coleman was one of the players I hated seeing on the ice. He seemed to work his ass off ever shift. From memory, him and Hall were your best players during the postseason. Even though I think we overpayed a bit, I'm excited to see him on the Lightning. The length and salary of his contract are just icing on the cake.
- jvar17

That's the thing about Coleman and why he's so loved by the Devil fans, nobody out-works him and he brings it every night. It's a shame the Devils had to trade him but we are not going to be good anytime in the near future with him so i'm glad he'll get a real chance at a cup with you guys for the next two years (maybe longer if he re-signs there). His contract is the best contract in hockey....what a bargain! good luck!

The Twitterverse is panning this trade because of the cost. I don't have a problem with it.

Yes, Foote is a top prospect, but Coleman is already an NHL'er and that is what you hope for with a first-round pick. Coleman is also an advanced stats darling and brings some much-needed sandpaper to this Bolts lineup that has been accused of being soft. He's also under a team-friendly contract for next season.

Is that worth a late first-rounder and a first-round prospect? We'll see, but given the current market, I don't think this is a dramatic overpayment.

Bonus : Boston was reportedly interested in him as well, so this trade denies Boston of his services.

I LOVE this trade!!!

Coleman is a huge addition to this team and I badly thought the Bolts needed another top 9 player. I view Coleman as a top 6 who will be playing top 9 for us. Big Win. Go win the cut!

The Twitterverse is panning this trade because of the cost. I don't have a problem with it.

Yes, Foote is a top prospect, but Coleman is already an NHL'er and that is what you hope for with a first-round pick. Coleman is also an advanced stats darling and brings some much-needed sandpaper to this Bolts lineup that has been accused of being soft. He's also under a team-friendly contract for next season.

Is that worth a late first-rounder and a first-round prospect? We'll see, but given the current market, I don't think this is a dramatic overpayment.

Bonus : Boston was reportedly interested in him as well, so this trade denies Boston of his services.
- GalacticStone

As a Leafs fan, I'm much happier that the Bolts got him and not the Bruins.

As a Leafs fan, I'm much happier that the Bolts got him and not the Bruins.
- Liger4

Yeah, the Bruins are a PITA and I would prefer they not get any deeper.

What are the Leafs gonna do at the deadline? I know they are socked-in by the cap, but that hasn't stopped them in the past.

This makes the most sense to me as far as line combos based on Coleman's skill set.

Stamkos-Point-Kucherov (nuclear line outscoring opponents 24-6 since put together I believe)
Palat-Cirelli-Coleman (shut down line with plenty of secondary scoring)
Killorn-Johnson-Gourde (name a better third line in the NHL, second second line)
Maroon-Paquette-Stephens (very good fourth line)

The most interesting thing about this trade is it made all three lines (2-3-4) better as the fourth line goes back to be the fourth line, the third line is now a second second line and the second line is going to be a female dog for the opposing teams top players to play against.

This makes the most sense to me as far as line combos based on Coleman's skill set.

Stamkos-Point-Kucherov (nuclear line outscoring opponents 24-6 since put together I believe)
Palat-Cirelli-Coleman (shut down line with plenty of secondary scoring)
Killorn-Johnson-Gourde (name a better third line in the NHL, second second line)
Maroon-Paquette-Stephens (very good fourth line)

The most interesting thing about this trade is it made all three lines (2-3-4) better as the fourth line goes back to be the fourth line, the third line is now a second second line and the second line is going to be a female dog for the opposing teams top players to play against.
- stammerman

I'd be pretty happy rolling with these lines.