It’s hardly news that the Toronto Maple Leafs deeply lack center depth. The injuries to captain Auston Matthews and Scott Laughton put a serious dent in the team’s depth down the middle.
While Laughton returned to the Maple Leafs’ lineup on Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team needs reinforcements. Even if Matthews returned to the lineup this weekend, the Leafs are still one injury away from the house of cards tumbling down.
That’s why the Maple Leafs should look into landing an established, veteran center who could solidify the forward group. That’s where the Calgary Flames’ Blake Coleman fits into the picture. Coleman, as Chris Johnston noted in his trade board on The Athletic, has been drawing plenty of interest.
That situation could prompt a desperate team like the Toronto Maple Leafs to pull the trigger on a significant hockey trade.
Here’s what this deal could look like:
Maple Leafs get:
Blake Coleman, F
2026 third-round pick
Flames get:
Brandon Carlo, D
2027 second-round pick
The trade lands the Maple Leafs a solid middle-six center who could take some pressure off John Tavares in defensive zone starts. Also, Coleman could spell other middle-six centers like Max Domi and Nic Roy, potentially moving up to the second line if need be.
Heading the other way is Nick Robertson. He’s been playing well of late. So, the Flames could be a decent long-term fit for the former second-round pick.
As for Carlo, the veteran right-shot blueliner could replace Rasmus Andersson if the Flames decided to move him. It’s worth noting that Coleman isn’t necessarily worth a first-round pick. So, adding a 2027 second-rounder is something the Flames could find useful down the road.
How Coleman Fits into Maple Leafs Lineup
Coleman could easily become the Maple Leafs’ third-line center. In that situation, Coleman pushed Roy down to the fourth line with Scott Laughton shifting to the wing.
But beyond taking over a center spot, having Coleman gives coach Craig Berube flexibility. That’s a huge plus as the team may need it in case of injuries and matchups. Plus, the added depth is crucial in the postseason.
Coleman, a former New Jersey Devils’ draft pick, would help on the penalty kill and on the defensive side of the puck. Plus, his Stanley Cup experience with the Tampa Bay Lightning is something the Maple Leafs cannot ignore.
Coleman Won’t Come Cheap
There’s a very good possibility that the Flames might want to gouge the Maple Leafs. So, the asking price could be very high. Since the overall sentiment is that the Flames aren’t openly looking to move Coleman, he won’t come cheap.
Nevertheless, if the Maple Leafs have an opportunity to land a player like Blake Coleman, the team should go for it. There’s no sense in holding back, especially with the team’s contending window dwindling. This season could be the last in which the Maple Leafs have a realistic chance of contending for a playoff spot. So, the team would be remiss to pass up a shot to add valuable pieces.
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