When a Hockey Trade Isn’t Just About Hockey

Calgary Flames fans know this stretch all too well: trade-deadline season is in full swing. If you’ve been watching the team at all lately, you can tell things feel a bit off. The games matter, but the rumours feel like they’re running the show.

And then there’s Blake Coleman, talking to the media after practice. One thing to like about Coleman is that he just lays it out there. No polish, no pretending—just being honest about how messy this whole stretch can be.

Coleman Admitted that He Hears the Rumours and They Matter

Coleman didn’t try to duck the question. He admitted he knows what’s being said about him. He hears the rumours. How could he not? But he also made it clear this isn’t just about him anymore. He’s older now. He has kids and a family. He’s got a life that doesn’t just pack up like a gear bag.

That’s the part that resonates about NHL players. Fans sometimes forget these guys are living in temporary homes, raising kids in cities where they might last three years or three months, and constantly waiting for someone else to tell them where they’re going next.

Coleman said it best: “I’m a Flame until I’m told I’m not.” There’s something honest and almost resigned in that. Not negative — just real.

All That Said, Coleman Loves the Game and His Teammates

And through all of it, he keeps showing up, enjoying the game and the group he’s with. That’s the part that hits you. Picture your job: you get along with everyone, feel settled, and then out of nowhere, your boss says, ‘Pack your bags, you’re gone by tonight.’

For players on teams sitting outside the playoff picture, this is the trade-deadline grind. Fans talk about salary cap hits, draft picks, aging curves — all the armchair-GM stuff. But guys like Coleman are thinking about school drop-offs, moving trucks, and new neighbourhoods. They also wonder whether they’ll see their kids before bedtime.

Coleman Is a Professional NHL Player, But He’s Also a Dad

This video really sticks because you hear Blake talking like a parent first, hockey player second. He’s just trying to do right by his work and his family, stay in the moment, and let the rest take care of itself. That’s something anyone can relate to: you can’t predict the future; all you can do is give today your best shot.

Related: Canucks Would Regret Trading Conor Garland Now