The rebuilding of the New Jersey Devils came with many low points. Losing players like Andy Greene, Travis Zajac, and Taylor Hall brought mixed feelings. One trade that really divided Devils fans was the deal that sent Blake Coleman to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In 2020, the Lightning offered a first-round pick (one originally from the Vancouver Canucks) and Nolan Foote for Coleman.
One of the main reasons fans are so divided is Coleman still has one year left on his deal. The Devils rarely sell players with years left, but Tom Fitzgerald took over for Ray Shero after he was shockingly fired in January that year.
The return is more than fair. Coleman is definitely coming into his own. He had 21 goals in 57 games with the Devils before the trade took place. He struggled to start the Lightning, and then the world stopped, including the NHL, for the pandemic. Coleman was given time to evaluate his place in Tampa, and he was able to carve out a major role in a Stanley Cup winner.
Tampa got two Stanley Cups from Coleman before he left for a big contract in Calgary. The Lightning really got everything they wanted out of the Coleman deal. Even thought at the time most fans would have said Fitzgerald did a great job coming back, how do they feel now?
It’s been three years since the trade, and Foote still isn’t an NHL regular. He might be this year, but that’s not a guarantee. The first-round pick became the 20th overall pick. The Devils made the shock move of signing Shakir Mukhamadullin.
Of course, as we fast into training camp 2023, the Blake Coleman deal is finally coming for the NHL roster. Foote is expected to earn a role in the NHL starting this season. The front office is very high on him. He will get every chance to take over the role left vacant by Miles Wood, who signed with Colorado.
On the other hand, Mukhamadullin has another franchise. The Devils did not stop him. In contrast, the San Jose Sharks seem to be ahead of him in the Timo Meier trade. The Devils sent several pieces to California, including NHL regular Fabian Zetterlund. However, the gem of the trade (outside of the first-round picks) was Mukhamadullin.
However, the Devils got Meier out of the deal. He is one of the best power forwards in the game. In addition, he signed an eight-year deal with the Devils.
It seems like this deal gives both teams the value they desire. It’s rare to find a win-win trade in the NHL, but this one is coming.