Flames trade – Calgary adds defenceman Jake Middleton from the Minnesota Wild, sending forward Blake Coleman and defenceman Olli Maatta the other way. The deal includes three draft picks for Calgary and salary retention by Calgary on Coleman’s $4.9 million.
Calgary’s blueline is getting a heavier look.
The Flames have traded for defenceman Jake Middleton and three draft picks from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Blake Coleman and defenceman Olli Maatta. The move sends Middleton “heading to Calgary” as part of the deal.
Calgary will also receive a second-round pick in 2029, a third-rounder in 2027, and a fourth-rounder in 2028. Just as important for the immediate balance of the roster, Calgary is retaining 50 per cent of Coleman’s $4.9 million salary.
Middleton arrives after spending his last 4 1/2 years in Minnesota, where he recorded two goals and 14 assists this past season. His strongest year came in 2023-24, when he totaled 25 points—seven goals and 18 assists.
At 30 years old, Middleton was a seventh-round pick in 2014 and spent his first few NHL seasons with the San Jose Sharks. In 29 career playoff games, he has recorded no goals and six assists.
For Minnesota, the return is a veteran presence with a track record in Calgary. Coleman was an alternate captain in Calgary and produced 20 goals and 15 assists this past season. His career-best season arrived in 2023-24, when he scored 30 goals and added 24 assists.
Maatta, meanwhile, is coming off a short, stop-start stretch in Calgary. He played just 21 games after being traded from the Utah Mammoth mid-season. Between Calgary and Utah, Maatta recorded two goals and 13 assists in 43 games.
His NHL resume extends further back, with games played for the Red Wings, Kings, Blackhawks and Penguins.
The swap reshapes both sides in one swing—Calgary betting on a defensive upgrade, Minnesota trading in a veteran scoring profile and a familiar name to fill its own needs.
Calgary Flames Minnesota Wild Jake Middleton Blake Coleman Olli Maatta trade NHL draft picks
So they traded Coleman and Maatta for a guy named Middleton?? why does that sound like a fake name lol
Calgary keeping 50% of Coleman’s salary makes it sound like they’re trying to dump money more than players. But also Middleton is “defensive upgrade”?? I swear they say that every trade.
Wait I thought Middleton was already on the Flames or something, like I’ve seen his name in highlights before. If he only has like 6 assists in playoffs then what are they expecting him to do in the postseason…?
This is one of those deals where everyone’s like “3 draft picks” like that means automatic future success. Minnesota sends 3 picks and a defense guy and gets Coleman/Maatta… but Maatta only played 21 games so maybe he’s washed? Idk, I just feel like Calgary will regret giving up the alternate captain.