The Calgary Flames continued their move in a youthful direction on July 2, trading Flames workhorse Blake Coleman and newcomer Olli Maatta to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenceman Jacob Middleton and some draft capital.

Let’s take a closer look at Middleton and see what he brings to the table for Calgary.

Contributing to the offence has never been Middleton’s strong point, but he has had enough consistent results to at least say he’s serviceable here. He doesn’t shoot a lot from the point – which is a good thing – instead trying to get the puck back deep to a forward as a safe play becomes the default.

It’s not that he won’t shoot – he does have 20 goals in his last 4 full seasons with the Wild – he just won’t have the same looks that being out there with Faber, Hughes, Kaprizov, or Boldy. He’s now with Coronato, Gridin, Parekh, and Farabee. It’s reasonable to suggest the offence might dry up a bit more than what’s been regularly produced.

He makes good passes and recognizes how to funnel the puck in the offensive zone to more dangerous linemates. At this point, with 381 NHL games under his belt, he understands the nuances of what it takes to be a successful every day NHL player.

What are the nuances? Let’s start with quick outs – getting the puck back on your stick and finding a way to get it out of your zone. The more time spent in your defensive zone the worse off it gets, forcing the other squad to consistently regroup isn’t a bad thing. Middleton does a really good job of picking up dumped in pucks and getting them back out of the zone.

He does struggle with the rush defending – and in the NHL where players get faster by the week that’s not going to change. This is where there needs to be limitations on his role. If he’s the guy you are sending out to try and stop the McDavids, MacKinnons, or Celebrinis of the world, you’re in danger. If you have him matched up against inexperienced youth or bottom 6 players he can thrive all day long.

NHL Edge had his average speed in the 53rd percentile – him going up against those significantly higher would lead to some problems.

There’s quite a few defensive strengths, though, ones that do make Middleton stand out. A) his ability to keep people away from the crease and B) his absolute fearlessness to block shots.

Both on the penalty kill and at 5v5 you will be very hard pressed to get a quality chance in tight against Middleton. He knows his angles and how to use the lumber in his hand to keep guys from driving the lane, unless they want some serious bruises. The coach can have faith knowing Middleton will do what it takes to keep traffic away from the goaler. He will eat pucks, the same as Engelland and Tanev before him. He’s going to be a valuable addition to the penalty kill and provide a stabilizing presence for whichever youthful player they decide to pair with him (Brzustewicz, Kuznetsov, etc).

Now that I’ve rediscovered my login for AllThreeZones.com, I have the ability to share with you transition charts! See aspects of a player that are very difficult to keep tally of when the game is moving as fast as it does.

What I really like about this is Middleton’s metrics for dangerous passes. It further amplifies that he knows how to help the offence out, and it’s by putting the puck on someone else’s stick. He also does well at the retrievals, being the guy that takes the brunt of the forecheck isn’t a fun job, but someone has got to do it. Middleton does not shy away from that.

There are a lot of non-possessive exits though, so get ready for some glass and out plays to keep the puck in the neutral zone.

Middleton is an everyday, every game, third pair NHL defenceman. If he’s playing more minutes you’re probably in trouble, but if you’re Calgary that truthfully hardly matters at the current stage of their rebuild. (It’s so nice to say.)

He will bring physicality, some tough defence, some immaculate vibes and one heck of a moustache to Calgary. Fans will love him, he will give the team everything he’s got and then some. He’ll be a stabilizing presence and provides the squad with another quality veteran should the Flames decide to accept the inevitable deadline haul they’ll get offered for Whitecloud.