Tampa, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning got a head start on next week's NHL trade deadline, acquiring Blake Coleman from the New Jersey Devils for a prospect and a first-round draft pick.
- Two-time 20-goal scorer Blake Coleman is the newest member of the Tampa Bay Lightning
- Coleman is a strong defensive forward and penalty killer
- He's expected to make his Tampa Bay debut in Thursday's game vs. Las Vegas
The 28-year-old winger is respected for his defensive skills and is a strong penalty killer. Coleman also brings a team-friendly contract to Tampa Bay, as the two-time 20-goal scorer with count just $1.8M against the salary cap next season.
With the NHL trade deadline approaching on Monday, February 24, Lightning GM Julien BriseBois struck early to address an area of need for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
It was a high price to pay for Tampa Bay though, as the Devils received 2019 first-round pick Nolan Foote, as well as the 2020 first-round draft pick acquired from Vancouver in the J.T. Miller trade. If Vancouver misses the playoffs this season, that draft pick becomes a 2021 first-round pick instead.
Coleman is having the best offensive season of his career. He has 21 goals through his first 57 games this season, one shy of his career-high, which he set last season. He is expected to make his Lightning debut on Thursday night when Tampa Bay faces Las Vegas on the road.