Blake Coleman Trade
Many expected the Blake Coleman trade to come at the 2026 trade deadline, but after dealing Nazem Kadri and Mackenzie Weegar, the front office decided to keep the talented winger for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign. However, it didn't take long in the summer for the speculation to pick up, and quickly after free agency, the Minnesota Wild stepped up, giving up three draft picks, including a second and a third round pick along with Jake Middleton for Coleman and Olli Maata.
The reaction to the deal was mixed, with many Flames fans hoping for more, but given that Coleman is 34-years-old with just one year remaining on his current deal, it's safe to say that the team made another great move here. Given that the team simply wanted to move on and get Coleman a new team during the summer, they did tidy work here, and while he may have garnered a bigger return if traded 12 months or more ago, under these circumstances, the Flames got some good assets that will help them down the line.
Grade: B+
Simon Nemec Extension
The Calgary Flames gave up significant assets to land Nemec in the trade from the Devils, and shortly after, he signed a long-term extension, with the opportunity for significant playing time, it was the clearly obvious move for the former No. 2 overall pick. While many predicted the contract would carry an AAV above $9 million per season, the five-year contract instead carried a value of $7.25 million, and if he lives up to his potential, that may end up being a steal for the Flames.
Last season, Nemec posted 11 goals and 26 points in 68 games played, but in Calgary, he'll likely get top pairing minutes alongside Kevin Bahl, and given the big swing that Craig Conroy took to land him, this extension was a no-brainer. Whether or not the team should have made the trade is up for debate, but once it was made, the team needed to extend the RFA, and given the combination of his size and skill, the risk on a five-year deal for a rebuilding team is one worth taking for Calgary.
Grade: A-
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