Calgary made a significant move on defence, landing Jake Middleton from the Minnesota Wild while sending Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta the other way. The deal, first reported by www.sportsnet.ca, also sends three draft picks to Calgary and includes salary retention on Coleman.
The Flames receive a second-round pick in 2029, a third-round pick in 2027 and a fourth-round pick in 2028 as part of the transaction. Calgary is retaining 50 per cent of Coleman’s $4.9 million salary, which makes the move a notable cap decision as well as a roster shake-up.
What Calgary Adds in Middleton
Middleton spent the past 4 1/2 years in Minnesota and comes to Calgary after a season in which he recorded two goals and 14 assists. His strongest offensive year came in 2023-24, when he put up 25 points with seven goals and 18 assists.
| Player | Last Team | Recent Production | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Middleton | Minnesota Wild | 2 goals, 14 assists | 25 points in 2023-24 |
| Blake Coleman | Calgary Flames | 20 goals, 15 assists | Alternate captain in Calgary |
| Olli Maatta | Calgary Flames | 2 goals, 13 assists in 43 games | Played 21 games in Calgary after a mid-season trade from Utah |
A seventh-round pick in 2014, Middleton began his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks. He has also appeared in 29 career playoff games and has six assists in those appearances.
Why Minnesota Wanted Coleman
The Wild are bringing in a sturdy veteran in Coleman, who served as an alternate captain in Calgary. He finished this past season with 20 goals and 15 assists, and his best scoring year came in 2023-24 with 30 goals and 24 assists.
Maatta’s time in Calgary was brief after he arrived from the Utah Mammoth mid-season. Between Utah and Calgary, he posted two goals and 13 assists in 43 games, adding another experienced body to a trade that reshapes both blue lines.
The move gives Calgary a bigger defensive piece in Middleton and adds three future picks to the organization. Minnesota, meanwhile, gets a veteran forward in Coleman and a familiar NHL defender in Maatta as both teams adjust their rosters.