The news regarding Jack Hughes’ injury has already had a devastating ripple effect on the New Jersey Devils. This comprehensive report from Site Expert Nick Villano details the extent to which Hughes’ injury is a mere case of stitches.
The cut on Hughes’ hand was severe enough to warrant surgery and keep the Devils’ star out of the lineup for roughly two months. Hughes is not the only center out for New Jersey. Cody Glass will also be on the shelf week-to-week, in another crushing injury blow.
As such, the Devils now could have a major need for center depth moving forward. But the answer may lie in a former draft pick. Specifically, we’re talking about Blake Coleman.
During the November 13 segment of TSN’s Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun dropped an interesting update on Coleman. He stated:
“I was surprised to find out on this day that the name that the Flames have actually gotten the most calls on so far this year is that of Blake Coleman.”
LeBrun added that while the Flames would love to hold onto Coleman, rival GMs have been inquiring about the forward’s availability.
The noted insider added:
“What’s happened is that a number of teams over the last couple of weeks have checked in with GM Craig Conroy and said, ‘Hey, if you ever get there closer to March 6, we’d love to have a chance to acquire Blake Coleman.’”
Given the Devils’ current situation with Jack Hughes’ injury, that club may not wait till March 6. GM Tom Fitzgerald may move now to bring in someone like Blake Coleman to solidify the lineup.
Of course, there’s no indication that the Devils are among the teams inquiring about Coleman at this point. But if they’re not, they should be.
Coleman would be more than just a replacement for Hughes in Devils’ lineup
While Blake Coleman may initially be a replacement for Jack Hughes in the Devils’ lineup, he could be much more than that. Once Hughes returns, the Devils could use Coleman in any number of ways.
Coleman is mainly a center. But he could play on the wing. Coleman could be a solid addition on the second line with Dawson Mercer. Coleman’s experience and depth scoring. The Devils could also deploy Coleman in the bottom six if they felt more stability was needed there.
The 33-year-old Coleman could give coach Sheldon Keefe some much-needed versatility up front. However, the biggest question would be the cost to land Coleman.
The Devils moved Coleman for a hefty price. The deal landed Nolan Foote, who didn’t really pan out in New Jersey. The Devils also got a first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, which turned out to be Shakir Mukhamadullin. Mukhamadullin was eventually moved in the Timo Meier trade in 2023.
The price to land Coleman now may not be quite so high. However, the price tag may rise somewhat given the demand for the veteran forward. But if the Devils have a chance to bring him back at the right price, the club would be remiss not to kick the tires on their former third-round pick from the 2011 NHL Draft.