Frank Seravalli just dropped a bombshell regarding the Calgary Flames that should have every fan on high alert. While the focus has largely been on defenseman Rasmus Andersson—especially following the market-shifting Quinn Hughes trade earlier this month—the real shocker is the volume of interest in veteran winger Blake Coleman.
According to Seravalli, nearly two-thirds of the league has checked in on Coleman. That is not a typo. Twenty teams are reportedly circling the 34-year-old winger. If GM Craig Conroy decides to pull the chute on this season, he isn’t just holding a few cards; he’s holding the entire deck. But with the Flames sitting just five points out of a wildcard spot, the decision to sell is anything but simple.
We are officially in that murky “wait-and-see” period between the holiday freeze and the Olympic break, but the phone lines in Calgary are clearly burning up.
Let’s break down the Rasmus Andersson situation first. Seravalli notes there has been “a lot of tire-kicking” on the 29-year-old pending UFA. This makes perfect sense. The recent Quinn Hughes trade reset the market valuation for elite puck-movers, and teams who missed out on Hughes are naturally pivoting to the next best options. Andersson is a legitimate top-pairing right-shot defenseman—a unicorn in today’s NHL.
However, the hesitation here is mutual. Teams are wary of paying a premium for a pure rental without knowing if Andersson is willing to sign an extension. On the flip side, the Flames have to ask themselves: is he more valuable as a trade chip or as their own “rental” for a potential playoff push?
Why the “Coleman to Dallas” Rumor Won’t Go Away
Then there is Blake Coleman. The report that 20 clubs have expressed interest is staggering, but it speaks to his reputation as a playoff warrior. He’s signed through 2026-27 at $4.9 million, which is a hefty cap hit, but his pedigree is undeniable.
The natural connection, as always, is the Dallas Stars. Coleman is a Plano, Texas native, and the Stars are squarely in their contention window. Seravalli mused about a double-swipe where Dallas acquires both Andersson and Coleman, though he rightly pointed out that Dallas likely lacks the prospect capital to pull off a blockbuster of that magnitude without gutting their future.
The Verdict: Patience is Conroy’s Best Weapon
My take? The Flames are in the power position here. They clawed their way out of the Western Conference basement and are sniffing a playoff berth. There is zero reason to rush a Blake Coleman trade unless the offer is overwhelming—”something good,” as Seravalli put it.
If the team falters before the February Olympic break, Conroy can start an auction war that would make deadline day chaotic. But if they keep winning? We might see the Flames hold firm, betting on their current core to make noise in the spring.
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