The Calgary Flames traded forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta to the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Jake Middleton and three draft picks, the teams announced Thursday.
The Flames received a 2027 third-round pick, a 2028 fourth-round selection, and a 2029 second-round pick as part of the trade.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Coleman tallied 20 goals and 15 assists in 69 games for the Flames last season. He has one year left on his contract, but Calgary is retaining 50% of his $4.9-million cap hit, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
The 34-year-old has averaged 20 goals and 18 assists per 82 games in his 10-year career. He potted a career-high 30 goals in 2023-24. Coleman is extremely physical (152 hits last season) and considered a strong defensive player after receiving a handful of downballot Selke Trophy votes last season.
Coleman, the first notable offseason acquisition for the Wild, projects to play a middle-six forward role. Mats Zuccarello signed with the Los Angeles Kings, Marcus Johansson left to play in Europe, and Vladimir Tarasenko remains a free agent, creating three holes in Minnesota's forward lineup.
Maatta, who won a pair of Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is a 13-year NHL veteran known for his defensive game over his offensive abilities. The 31-year-old projects to play a third-pairing role for the Wild and is under contract for two more seasons with a $3.5-million average annual value.
Middleton, also a defensive defenseman, is signed for three more seasons with a $4.35-million AAV. The 30-year-old, who's listed at 6-foot-3 and 219 pounds, is an excellent shot-blocker and projects to play top-four minutes with the Flames. He's a native of Wainwright, Alberta, which is a four-hour drive from Calgary.
