A new rumour links the Maple Leafs to Blake Coleman, and the fit is hard to ignore

According to Jimmy Murphy of RG Media indicates that the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of several teams that have checked in on Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman.

Murphy reports the Toronto Maple Leafs are a team interested in potentially trading for Coleman. Murphy also names multiple potential suitors, including the Dallas Stars as a team with interest in the Texas native.

Coleman, 34, has eight goals and 11 points in 28 games this season for the Calgary Flames.

As Murphy notes, Calgary is also willing to take calls on marquee trade chips such as Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson, but doesn't link either to Toronto and instead has Coleman as a possible cost-friendly option.

Murphy's reporting indicates that Blake Coleman is a player of interest to Toronto for the fact he's an experienced playoff performer, having won the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but is also an assistant captain and veteran leader in the Flames dressing room.

It was noted as well in the article that Coleman was signed by the Calgary Flames under Brad Treliving while he was the team's GM, and Treliving is someone who has shown interest in acquiring players he formerly acquired back in Calgary.

As a player, Coleman fits a need for Toronto to strengthen themselves down the wing and provide an energy forward for the bottom-six.

Coleman is able to play as a penalty killer and workhorse, which fits the needs of Craig Berube to play into, making him a potential fit for the Leafs roster, and their build.

Coleman is also a veteran presence who brings good intensity on the ice and liked in the locker room, which helps secure the Leafs bottom-six on the wing.

He's also cheaper than Nazem Kadri, with Coleman making $4.9M until 2027 compared to Kadri's $7M until 2029.

A trade for Blake Coleman would come much easier for Toronto, and cost less than any deal for Kadri or Andersson as a financial benefit avoiding paying for retention.

Where teams might want a first round pick for Kadri or Andersson, something Toronto doesn't have until 2028, Coleman could come at a cheaper cost.

The Leafs have wanted to be a "roster" deal, and could shed a salary such as Matias Maccelli or Max Domi to make the balance work, with a prospect or pick going back, although a player like Easton Cowan or Ben Danford might be off the table unless for a more high-end piece such as Kadri.

Coleman could slot in the bottom-six around the lineup as Maccelli and Domi have, although more consistently in the lineup than the two, who have both been scratched at points by Toronto.

Depending on the value of the deal, Blake Coleman could be a cost saving depth option for the Leafs that doesn't cause them to give up a top prospect either, saving their key assets for potentially an even bigger deal down the line.