Pucks and Pitchforks
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You Should Get to Know Devils Prospect Blake Coleman

By Nicholas Breitenstine

Jan 13, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano (5) and New Jersey Devils center Blake Coleman (40) chase after the puck during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano (5) and New Jersey Devils center Blake Coleman (40) chase after the puck during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports /
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Blake Coleman wasn’t a name that many people were familiar with for a long time.  The former 3rd round pick was solid in the NCAA, but never blew anyone away.  This year, Coleman has made a name for himself among Devils fans, and should be someone to keep an eye on.

No team is made up of purely skilled forwards.  Teams need capable bottom six guys to help the top six out.  Look at the last Stanley Cup Winning teams.  Each one had competent players in a bottom six role. Heck, the last time the Devils made the Stanley Cup Finals it was largely on the backs of its fourth line.

While it’s important to develop skilled top 6 forwards, the bottom 6 is important as well.  The Devils have someone who could be perfect for that role, and his name is Blake Coleman.

Coleman has always been described as a determined player with a great work ethic. A 2011 report by Brendan Ross mentioned that Coleman was known for his tenacity, and that he can produce by going to the net and playing hard.

Chris Dilks of SBNation College Hockey also described Coleman as tenacious, and that he is perfectly suited to fill a third of fourth line role.  Fast forward to today and that all seems true.  Never known for his goal-scoring prowess, Coleman is someone who would fit perfectly in a team’s bottom six.

That doesn’t mean Blake Coleman can’t produce, though.  Before a should injury sidelined him for the season, Coleman was on 0.5 PPG pace last year.  While it was a small sample size (14 games), it was nice to see from an AHL rookie.  This year, Coleman has stepped his production up.  In 49 games for the A-Devils, he has 34 points.  That’s good for second behind John Quenneville.  He is also second in goals with 18, one behind the team leader Ben Sexton.  It’s encouraging to see Coleman produce in the AHL.  Yeah, he’s 25, but it’s also his first true professional season.

Time to Shine, Blake

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The Devils recalled Blake Coleman from the A-Devils on February 27. The team needed someone to fill in for the injured Pavel Zacha.  Coleman did have a short stint in New Jersey earlier this year, but now it’s really his time to earn a spot.  The Zacha injury, coupled with the departure of P.A. Parenteau, leaves spots open.

Chris Ryan reported Wednesday that Coleman was practicing as 3rd line center, and played around 10 minutes against the Capitals. He’s going to have the chance to impress both Shero and Hynes.

Coleman has the tools to be a contributing player, and this stint with the Devils will be a nice test for him.  I don’t think he’ll stick for all 20 games, but that doesn’t mean he can’t impress.  Coleman isn’t a Pavel Zacha or Michael McLeod, but you shouldn’t write him off.

He’s an ideal bottom six guy, which is something the Devils have lacked in the past few years. Yeah, he won’t put up gaudy point totals, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a worthwhile player. Make sure you get to know Blake Coleman, because he will be someone to look at for the future.

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