Flames sign Blake Coleman (six years, $4.9 million AAV)

The Calgary Flames have reportedly made a big splash in free agency. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the club has signed unrestricted free agent Blake Coleman to a six year deal worth $4.9 million per season.

Coleman, 29, adds another American-born player to the Flames organization. The product of Plano, Texas is a veteran left-shooting winger who gives the Flames another option for their top six. His signing likely pushes Dillon Dube down to the third line, which probably makes the Flames a deeper, more dangerous hockey club.

Coleman has two Stanley Cups on his resume from the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He previously played with the New Jersey Devils. All-told, he has put up 71 goals and 126 points in 301 NHL games. He was teammates with Johnny Gaudreau at the 2018 World Championship with Team USA.

The cap hit isn’t too bad. The length of the deal is a bit steep, especially for a player who plays the style that Coleman does. But Coleman has two Stanley Cup rings and it’s likely the intangibles, so to speak, that the Flames feel they’re paying that premium for.