As you might expect, Blake Coleman points to his linemates when he’s asked about his recent bump in production.
When you’ve got Matt Coronato and his wicked shot lining up for you in the slot, the game just isn’t that complicated, right?
“I pass to him in the slot and I skate to the bench for the train,” Coleman said with a smile. “I just put my hands up right away. I just like our odds when the puck’s on his stick in the slot over anybody else.”
Now, it’s probably worth noting that there’s been a lot more to Coleman’s recent run than just getting the puck to Coronato.
Since the calendar turned to 2025, Coleman is leading the Calgary Flames with eight points in eight games. Only two of them have come from assists to Coronato, one against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night and the other against the Los Angeles Kings on Jan. 11.
So while Coleman might half-jokingly credit Coronato’s sweet shot for his bump in points production, there’s been a lot more going on with his game.
It’s not entirely accurate to say there’s been an improvement, per se. It’s not like there were any complaints about the veteran winger’s game before the New Year. He’s relied on by the Flames for his 200-foot game, not just putting up points. It is, however, definitely a bonus that he’s suddenly producing at a point-a-game pace.
“I don’t know if he’s doing anything better or different, he’s kind of the same guy all the time,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “I do feel like that line is dangerous when it’s on the ice. Is he a benefactor of Mikael (Backlund) and Matthew’s play, as well? Probably, but he’s always the same player.
“For you guys watching him all the time, not much changes about his game. I think he’s gotten more power-play time, that’s one thing over the last little while, but it always seems to me that the bigger the game or the quality of the situation, he raises his level all the time. That’s what you love about him and why he’s such an important player in our room.”
A lot was made about Coleman’s offensive uptick last season, when he scored 30 goals for the first time and set a career-high with 54 points. Throughout the year, he insisted that those numbers were generally what he expected of himself if he was given the opportunity.
And while he’s behind that pace this year, his January numbers mean he could catch up in a hurry. Coleman has scored 10 goals and added 15 assists this season in 45 games. Nearly a third of those have come in the last eight.
So what’s with the sudden uptick? Why are the points piling up over the last couple weeks?
“I mean, I expect myself to be producing at a level similar to this, maybe not a point-per-game, but at a good clip,” Coleman explained. “I think I just wasn’t finishing chances or you’d set someone up and it wouldn’t quite go, or vice versa. I kind of know that’s how my seasons have always been.
“I get a little bit streaky and everyone in this league is streaky to some degree, and it usually just attributes to sometimes there’s a month where your body feels great and everything’s clicking and sometimes there’s injuries or little things. Right now, everything’s in line, we’re playing big minutes which helps, close to 20 a night, it gives you opportunities to be on the ice, to produce.”
Whatever the reason behind Coleman’s bump in recent productivity, it’s something the Flames can definitely use. They’ve scored only 120 goals this season, the third-fewest in the entire NHL, and would happily welcome more production from anyone in their lineup.
Right now, Coleman’s leading the charge. Nobody has more than the eight points he’s recorded so far in 2025. Coronato has six points in January, but nobody else on the roster has more than four.
And as the guy finishing the passes that Coleman is feeding him in the slot, Coronato isn’t even the least bit surprised to see his linemate putting up numbers.
“I think he’s had that all year, he’s a confident player and he has skill and is really good around the net and he can make plays, too,” Coronato said. “He’s kind of been doing it all, he’s a huge part of this team winning games.”