Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils Trade Blake Coleman To Tampa Bay Lightning

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 16: Blake Coleman #20 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his empty net goal at 19:02 of the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 16, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 16: Blake Coleman #20 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his empty net goal at 19:02 of the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 16, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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It’s official. The New Jersey Devils traded Blake Coleman to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Nolan Foote and a 1st-round pick in 2020.

The New Jersey Devils did not allow fans to get used to life without captain Andy Greene, as just hours later they traded one of the “heart and souls” of the team as Travis Zajac put it during the intermission of the Columbus Blue Jackets game. Blake Coleman was sent to the Tampa Bay Lightning for 1st-round pick Nolan Foote and a 1st-round pick in 2020. That 1st-round pick is actually the own once owned by the Vancouver Canucks.

Coleman is a hard pill to swallow. Not only was he a fan favorite that showed effort every single night and seemed to overcome the Devils bad play, but he was on one of the best contracts in all of hockey. He wasn’t on the final year of his deal like Greene. Coleman had one more year left on his deal at $1.8 million.

The Lightning are getting one of the best two-way forwards in the league. Honestly, Coleman might have a legit argument for the Selke Trophy now that he’s on a team worth watching. He was one of the Devils best penalty killers, scored more than 20 goals already, and was key in getting offense from defense on a line with Zajac and Nikita Gusev.

We do have to look at the reality of this situation. The Devils think their “all-in” moves they made in the offseason were very premature. Now, they are breaking it down to it’s foundation, similar to what the New York Rangers did last year, and they are stocking up on 1st-round picks.

Next. Devils Trade Andy Greene To New York Islanders. dark

What the Devils got in return was a very good prospect and a 1st-round pick that can literally end up anywhere. Foote has an NHL-ready shot. He just has to get some of the intangible in place and get some experience under his belt.

It’s a really sad day for Devils fans. It’s kind of insane they did all this on the dad’s trip. Was Blake Coleman’s dad there? What about Greene’s? Strange, but our rapid reaction to the trade is the Devils did alright for a trade where they gave up their best available asset.

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