Detroit Red Wings: 3 impact forwards to pursue signing in free agency

Back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion, Blake Coleman

When the Detroit Red Wings are contacting players in free agency, they should be reaching out to a player that has been a part of the past two Stanley Cup championships in Tampa Bay. Blake Coleman would be a stellar addition to the Red Wings organization, being an impactful forward.

Coleman is strong on both sides of the ice and has the ability to score goals but also play sound defense. He’s a left-handed shot and a versatile forward who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs in at  200 pounds.

The former Miami RedHawks forward has spent five seasons in the NHL, 3.5 years with the New Jersey Devils, and 1.5 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. If the Red Wings were to pursue Coleman he would be able to slot in on one of the top two lines and have success.

In 2020-21, Coleman played in 55 games where he scored 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 total points. The year before that, Coleman notched 21 goals and added 11 assists for 32 total points. He’s sort of broken out and benefitted from playing on such a good team that the Lightning are.

As the Red Wings go through free agency, they should consider throwing a multi-year out there for Coleman, knowing he will be a top-six forward for a few years to come. Coleman is more than worth a four-year, $20 million contract.

Putting a range on it, the Red Wings should be trying to get Coleman to sign a three-to-five-year deal with a $4-6 million AAV.