The New Jersey Devils have traded Blake Coleman to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Nolan Foote and a first-round pick.
Nolan Foote and a 1st round pick to New Jersey for Blake Coleman.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 17, 2020
Blake Coleman Acquired By Tamp Bay
Coleman is catching the eyes of several teams this season as he continues to have a breakout season with the Devils. In order to get something, a team needs to give up something. The first-round pick the Devils are getting is Vancouver’s first-round pick the Lightning got in the J.T. Miller trade. Currently, the first-round pick is for the 2020 NHL Draft, but if the Canucks miss the playoffs it will become a 2021 first-round draft pick. Coleman is on pace to post career highs in goals, assists, and points. Through 57 games, Coleman has 31 points (21 goals and 10 assists). He was playing on the Devils second line with Nikita Gusev and Travis Zajac.
The Plano, Texas native was originally selected 75th overall by the Devils in the 2011 NHL Draft. After finishing his college career at Miami of Ohio, he signed his entry-level deal with the Devils. During the 2015-16 season, he was assigned to the Devils AHL affiliate at the time was in Albany, to begin his professional career. He only appeared in 23 games during his first season with the Devils. In the summer of 2017, the Devils re-signed him to a one-year, two-way contract worth $660,000. After a solid 2017-18 season where Coleman recorded 25 points (13 goals and 12 assists), the team re-signed him to a three-year contract worth $5.4 million. In one playoff appearance with the Devils, Coleman scored two goals.
What This Means For Coleman’s New Team
This is such a great pick up for the Lightning. First off, Coleman’s contract is very team-friendly. He has one year left on his contract at $1.8 million. Not only that but Coleman can play in all situations. However, he is very good on the penalty kill and in his own defensive zone. Not only that he is a versatile player as he can play either centre or wing. He is the type of player you win with come playoff off. He is very tough to play against and is a great defensive forward. That is why his Lightning acquired him. He may not see top-six minutes, but with the Lightning acquiring him, he is bringing him to add depth to the roster in order to win a Stanley Cup.
Meanwhile, the Devils are getting prospect Nolan Foote, who was drafted 27th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. Foote signed a three-year entry deal back in June. He has been playing junior Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League. Foote gives New Jersey a prospect with big-time goal-scoring potential, something the Devils system needed. He is another young prospect the Devils have in their system as they continue to build around Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. Foote won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2020 World Junior Championship.
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