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Revisiting the Lightning’s Blockbuster Trade for Blake Coleman – The Hockey Writers – Lightning History

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For the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 2019-20 season was a make-or-break moment for a franchise that had become known as good enough to make deep runs in the postseason but not good enough to win a Stanley Cup. After the well-documented 2019 Postseason collapse, it became clear that the team would have to find a way to win it all soon, or risk seeing another talented player core torn down after coming up empty-handed one too many times.

Given this atmosphere, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois decided it was time to go all-in and buff his already impressive roster at the 2020 Trade Deadline. After standing pat with a group that looked unbeatable in 2019, BriseBois took an aggressive approach by cashing in a bevy of Tampa Bay’s picks and prospects in order to bring back players that could make the difference for a Stanley Cup push.

Lightning Acquire Coleman From Devils in Blockbuster Trade

The first major trade by the Lightning occurred on Feb. 16, 2020, when BriseBois shipped 2019 first-round draft pick Nolan Foote and the 2020 first-round pick they acquired in the J.T. Miller deal with the Vancouver Canucks to the New Jersey Devils for forward Blake Coleman. This trade made a lot of sense for Tampa Bay at the moment, even if it cost a premium price.

The reasons why BriseBois coveted Coleman were understandable. He was a solid defensive forward who was on an impressive scoring run for a bad New Jersey team, posting 21 goals and 31 points in 57 games. Not only that, he was being paid below market value at $1.8 million until the 2021 offseason, giving BriseBois a cost-controlled asset that could slot in, conceivably, anywhere in the lineup.

What Coleman Brought to the Lightning

Due to circumstances outside of anyone’s control, it took some time for Coleman to showcase his talents for Tampa Bay. However, once he started playing alongside Yanni Gourde and fellow deadline acquisition Barclay Goodrow in the 2020 Postseason, he became a key cog on one of the most impactful forward lines for the Lightning.

Sure they didn’t score every night, but this line changed the way Tampa Bay played. They were a tenacious force that brought to the ice everything you needed to win in the postseason. For his part, Coleman led the team in hits, took on more than two minutes of playing time short-handed each night, posted the Lightning’s last goal of the playoffs, and scored one of the best goals of the entire postseason.

Blake Coleman Tampa Bay Lightning
Even though Coleman may not have been the Lightning’s top scorer, his play was a driving force for the franchise getting over their postseason hump. (Photo by Scott Audette /NHLI via Getty Images)

With one successful postseason run under his belt, Coleman looked to continue his incredible play in the shortened 2020-21 season. In 55 games, he posted 14 goals and 31 points, while continuing to be an absolute pest alongside Gourde and Goodrow.

However, it was the 2021 Playoffs when Coleman once again made his mark on the franchise. In 23 games, he played that perfect energy role to help push the Lightning over the top. While he didn’t score a lot, the few times he hit the back of the net it was impactful, including a last-second goal that helped secure a victory in the Stanley Cup Final.

After winning back-to-back championships with the Lightning, Coleman departed the franchise and signed a well-earned six-year contract with the Calgary Flames paying him roughly $4.9 million per year.

What the Lightning Traded for Coleman

While Coleman’s tenure in Tampa Bay was successful, they didn’t get his services for free. Giving up a top prospect like Nolan Foote (His brother, Cal Foote, plays with the Nashville Predators) and a potential top-15 pick had the chance to backfire dramatically.

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First, let’s discuss Foote, who has been showing solid development since joining New Jersey. In the 2020-21 season, he played in 24 games for the then Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Devils, posting seven goals and 17 points. He also got the call to start in six NHL games as well, scoring a goal and an assist.

In 2021-22, Foote continued this strong play for the Utica Comets in the AHL, starting in 37 games and posting eight goals and 22 points along with a plus-18, which was third-best on the team. Given that he is only 23 years old, there is still a lot of time for him to develop his power forward frame and become a top-six monster for New Jersey.

Now for the first-round pick, things could have gone a lot worse for Tampa Bay. The 2019-20 Canucks were a good team that had playoff aspirations despite some stretches of weak play that threatened to pull them out of contention. Despite this, after they went on a run in the 2020 Playoffs and came up just short of the Western Conference Final, this pick settled in at 20th overall for New Jersey.

With their third selection in the 2020 first round, the Devils took a bit of a risk on defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin. While some scouts saw Mukhamadullin as a sure-fire first-rounder, others had him going in the early third at best. However, as a 23-year-old with a 6-foot-4 frame and a path to take on big minutes in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), it’s easy to see why New Jersey took the chance on him.

Since being selected, Mukhamadullin has been a good player, taking on 39 games in 2020-21 and 34 games in 2021-22 for Ufa Salavat Yulaev. While his scoring numbers aren’t exceptional, he showed the development path for a player who made the jump to North America in subsequent; however, it wasn’t with the Devils as he was traded to the San Jose Sharks at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. He made his NHL debut with the Sharks on Jan. 27, 2024.

Who Won the Coleman Trade?

While it is always fun to discuss who won or lost a big trade in the moment, it often takes months or even years to fully understand the impact of these deals. If you’re a fan of the Lightning, the trade for Coleman was a clear win, as he played a key role in back-to-back championship runs. Depending on how you look at it, you can make the argument that this is one of if not the best deadline deals in franchise history.

On the other hand, if you’re a fan of the Devils, you can also make the argument that they won this trade. The team cashed out a prime asset at peak value, returning a top prospect and a first-round pick. This was no small return, and smart moves like this that can help kickstart a rebuild.

Read Also: Legendary Players, Weird Jerseys

In the end, if both teams can look at a trade positively, that means there likely isn’t a true winner. The Lightning got a piece that they needed, and the Devils got assets to help them rebuild for the future, making this a rare deadline win-win.

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Lila Keith

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Lila Keith passed away on November 23, 2024, in the comfort of her home in Virginia. Born Lila Faye Pearce in Pt. Pleasant, NJ, on May 7, 1925, to Thomas and Hannah Pearce, she was the youngest of eight siblings, all of whom predeceased her. Known affectionately as Nan to her family, her long and healthy life is attributed to many years spent walking the boardwalk with her friends, who also lived into their nineties. Nan’s knitting skills were exceptional, crafting items from socks to Barbie doll outfits, with her favorite being baby sweaters and booties for her grandchildren, now cherished by her great-grandchildren.

Nan is survived by five sons, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Frank, known as Pop to his family, in Greenwood Cemetery in Brielle, NJ. Nan was dearly loved and will be profoundly missed.

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NJ Restaurant Romances: These Couples Hit It Off Over Hot Stoves and Dirty Dishes

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Bramnick will not Compete in GOP County Conventions

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Bramnick will not compete in GOP County Conventions

 

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Senator Jon Bramnick notified all Republican county organizations that he will not be competing in county Republican conventions. He released the following statement. 

“The decision to not compete in the county conventions across the state was not taken lightly. The work of the Republican County party leaders, county committee members and volunteers is an important part of the GOP. However, given the decision by other Republican candidates to not participate in the process, I believe the convention process will not accurately represent the true landscape of the primary this year. 

“I still intend to speak with county committee members across the state as well as rank and file Republican voters to encourage them to engage in the primary process. In the 2021 gubernatorial primary less than 24% of registered Republicans cast a ballot. My campaign is focused on building on the enthusiasm in the party to encourage more Republicans to participate in the primary this year.”

 

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Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Asbury Short Film Concert: World’s Best Short Films

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originally published: 02/12/2025

(MANASQUAN, NJ) — Asbury Shorts USA, New York City’s longest running non-competitive short film showcase returns to the revered Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan on Saturday, March 8, 2025 to present their national touring “44th Short Film Concert- An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films.”

The first film blasts on to the screen at 8:00pm. This will be Asbury Shorts USA’s thirteenth year bringing world renowned short films to Algonquin Arts. Diane Raver, Founder of The Garden State Film Festival, will once again serve as guest host. The short film concert is recommended for ages 16 and older.

Tickets are $15 and available for purchase online or by calling 732-528-9211. Algonquin Arts is located at 60 Abe Voorhees Drive in Manasquan, New Jersey.

Combining classic short films with current festival winners, Asbury Shorts USA provides a rare opportunity for audiences to view global hits on a real cinema screen as opposed to YouTube, computers, or smart phones.  Oscar nominated director Jason Reitman (“JUNO,” “Up in the Air,” “Thank You for Smoking,““Ghostbusters Afterlife”) calls Asbury Shorts: “The best short film show I’ve ever experienced.”

The March 8th presentation will feature a mix of outstanding comedy, drama and animated shorts in a fast paced, eclectic lineup including Oscar nominees, “Best of Show” awardees from U.S. film festivals and international honorees.

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Asbury Shorts “concerts” have been presented at: The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, The Vero Beach Museum of Art in Florida, Summer Stage in Central Park, The Charleston Music Hall in South Carolina, Director’s Guild Theater in Manhattan, The AERO Theatre in Santa Monica, CA, Osprey Arts Center in Nova Scotia, Canada, Royal Festival Hall in London, U.K., The Leminske Theater in Berlin, Germany…to name a few of the prestigious venues where audiences have enjoyed these amazing films including 12 years previously at Algonquin Arts Theatre.

Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501c(3) non-profit center for performing arts, providing cultural enrichment and arts education for residents and visitors of Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, dance and film.

Located in Manasquan, N.J., AAT is an integral part of the Shore region, offering broad access to arts experiences across multiple disciplines. Deeply committed to education, AAT serves students of all ages not only through art and music instruction, but also through the unique communal conversation that exists between audience member and performer. A journeyman house, AAT features the work of young and emerging artists, designers and directors working alongside seasoned professionals. AAT provides a platform for local and regional performers to showcase their work and offers audiences the opportunity to engage very directly and personally in the arts, fostering greater participation and providing an engaging means for exploring personal and societal issues through the world of the stage.

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American Theater Group presents “Purlie”

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originally published: 02/12/2025

(RAHWAY, NJ) — Broadway veteran Kenny Ingram will direct American Theater Group’s (ATG) production of the exhilarating and Tony Award-winning musical Purlie, running March 6-23, 2025, at Hamilton Stage in Rahway. Gary Mitchell, Jr. will provide Musical Direction. Purlie is the 1970 musical adaptation of Ossie Davis’s comedic play Purlie Victorious, which just completed a hugely successful revival on Broadway last season.

Ingram was nominated for a 2023 Audelco Award for his direction of James T. Lane’s  Triple Threat Off Broadway at Theatre Row and choreographed the NY Times’ Critic Choice’s Emojiland at the Duke on 42nd St. Ingram’s Broadway debut was in The Lion King, where he performed for a decade.

Featuring an unforgettable score, Purlie tells the story of a traveling preacher who returns to his hometown in Georgia and concocts a scheme to reclaim his church while ringing the bell of freedom for plantation workers.  Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction and Best Choreography, the original Broadway production launched the careers of Melba Moore (Tony Award – Best Featured Actress in a Musical), Cleavon Little (Tony  Award – Best Performance by a Leading Actor) and Sherman Hemsley. Purlie was written by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose and Peter Udell with music by Gary Geld.

(LEFT) Timothy Ware-Hill (RIGHT) Aeja Barrows

Leading the cast as Purlie will be Timothy Ware-Hill (Broadway: Kinky Boots), joined by newcomer Aeja Barrows as Lutiebelle. Tyson Jennette  (B’way: Book of Mormon) will portray Gitlow, Tom Souhrada ((B’way: Mary Poppins) will play Ol’ Cap’n, Ryan Bronston will play Charlie, Nicole Powell (B’way: Ragtime, Hairspray) will portray Missy, Virginia Woodruff  (B’way: Violet, Leap of Faith) will play Idella and Kayla Ceaser, Berlin Lee Charles, Lilliannie Arie Urgent, Maya Mays, Lathan Roberts, Joshua Shepard, Shaquile Hester and LJ Brodie will round out the ensemble. A local choir will also appear in the opening and closing numbers.

Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling the box office at 732-499-8226. Ticket prices range from $20 (student) to $65. Performances are Thursday – Sunday, March 6-9; Thursday – Sunday, March 13-16 and Friday – Sunday, March 21-23. Hamilton Stage is located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway, New Jersey.

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“Purlie is a show that we are delighted to re-introduce to new audiences,” noted ATG Producing Artistic Director Jim Vagias. “It has an amazing, raise-the-roof score that is a real crowd-pleaser.  It is truly a great American musical that we are honored to produce.”

Kenny Ingram has served as director and/or choreographer at Regional Theaters across the US, most recently at Maine State Music Theatre where he directed and choreographed Funny Girl and 9 to 5 The Musical. He also served as director/choreographer for The Wiz at New Bedford Musical Festival Theater and Blues in the Night at Porchlight Dinner Playhouse in Chicago, for which he won a Jeff Award. He also choreographed Emojiland at the Duke, Turtles on a Fence Post and Till, The Musical. In addition, Ingram served as choreographer for Dreamgirls, Sound of Music and Jolly Holiday at Papermill Playhouse. He will make his directing and choreography debut this spring at The Fulton Theatre in Pennsylvania with Anastasia.

Musical Director Gary Mitchell, Jr., regularly collaborates with renowned singers, instrumentalists, artists, and ensembles throughout the world.  He has been featured at Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, The Harlem Opera Festival, The United Nations, Teatro alla Scala, Dance Theater of Harlem, 54 Below, Cape Playhouse, New London Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, and Barrington Stage Theatre with select performances in Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, Copenhagen, and Australia.. He has also collaborated and performed with The New York Historical Society, Broadway Inspirational Voices, PBS, MTV, VH1, and is currently Director of Music and Arts Administration at First AME Church: Bethel-Harlem.

The creative team also includes Bernita Robinson (Production Stage Manager); Cat Murphy (Production Manager); Max Evans (Assistant Stage Manager); Jose Luis Santiago Jr (Lighting Designer); Saawan Tiwari (Costume Designer); Seth Howard (Set Designer); Travis Joseph Wright (Sound Designer); Ben Merrick (Tech Director); Alison Merrick (Props) and Sara Norton (Hair and Wigs).

​​​​​​​Purlie is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Following Purlie, ATG will present “Broadway in the ‘Burbs,” a unique 90-minute “behind-the-scenes” look at Broadway with veteran theater critic and insider Peter Filichia at the Sieminski Theater on May 17-18.   Filichia will regale the audience with anecdotes, gossip and entertaining tales of his life on the aisle, including his 20 years as the state’s top critic for the NJ Star-Ledger.  He will be joined by Broadway artists singing popular songs from the shows mentioned. Filichia has seen 13,000 shows in 47 states and 17 foreign countries, appears on the “Broadway Radio” podcast and has a weekly column for Masterworks Broadway.

Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) is a non-profit organization offering quality programming and performances that strive to be educational, affordable, and enrich the arts within our diverse communities. UCPAC features two venues, the Main Stage, built in 1928, and the Hamilton Stage, a recently renovated intimate 199-seat theater built by the City of Rahway Redevelopment Agency, and located at 360 Hamilton Street.

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North to Shore Festival presents Slightly Stoopid at Stone Pony Summer Stage

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originally published: 02/10/2025

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) — As part of the Prudential North to Shore Festival, Slightly Stoopid will bring their new tour, Step Into The Sun Summer 2025, to Stone Pony Summer Stage on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 6:30pm. They will be joined by support acts Iration and Little Stranger.

Since their inception in 1995, Slightly Stoopid—fronted by the incredibly versatile duo Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald—has evolved a unique fusion of rock, reggae, acoustic soul, hip-hop, heavy metal, and punk rock. They have achieved both artistic freedom and commercial success while staying true to their DIY ethos. The band has grown from an original trio to a seven-piece ensemble, becoming a generational leader in a burgeoning subculture and lifestyle movement.

“We’re thrilled to hit the road this summer with our longtime friends Iration and to welcome Little Stranger to the family,” said Miles Doughty of Slightly Stoopid. “We have some new tunes that we’re eager to share, and we’re particularly excited to perform at some venues we’ve yet to explore.”

Tickets are available for purchase online. Stone Pony Summer Stage is located at 913 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Launched in 2023, the North 2 Shore festival is a unique combination of performances by artists beloved both internationally and in their hometowns. In its first two years, the festival brought in more than $25 million for ticketed events and has drawn a total audience of over 500,000 to more than 650 shows in approximately 250 venues in Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City.

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The 2025 festival will take place from June 9-29 and will be sponsored by Prudential Financial for the second year in a row. Details about the lineup and venues will be announced at an in-person press conference in the first quarter of 2025.

Once again, both global headliners and artists who hail from cities along the festival route will take the stage in front of an audience drawn from across the region. North to Shore Community Arts Awards will be given to artists, arts organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses to produce and present free festival events. Additionally, the festival will now include season-long community engagement events in Atlantic City. A complete list of free and ticketed festival events will be shared at northtoshore.com in spring 2025.

Reach New Jersey’s largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage

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Bank of America Donates $50,000 to Fulfill

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Triada Stampas, President & CEO of Fulfill (center) accepts a donation from Bank of America Charitable Foundation for $50,000.

Triada Stampas, President & CEO of Fulfill (center) accepts a donation from Bank of America Charitable Foundation for $50,000.

Philanthropy

On Feb 7, 2025

Bank of America recently presented Fulfill, the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean counties, with a generous donation of $50,000 as part of Bank of America’s support of nonprofit organizations that provide access to healthcare, food access and nutrition, family stabilization and other poverty-related issues.

The gift will support food distribution to Fulfill’s over 300 pantry partners, as well as help the food bank continue to comprehensively fight hunger in the Jersey Shore region. Triada Stampas, president & CEO of Fulfill, accepted the check from Bank of America.

“Combatting food insecurity and supporting hunger-relief efforts is essential to helping our communities thrive,” said Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey. “Fulfill plays a critical role in ensuring families across Monmouth and Ocean Counties have access to nutritious food and the resources they need to build a stronger future. Addressing hunger strengthens our communities, supports economic vitality and creates pathways for long-term success.”

In addition to the financial contribution, Bank of America New Jersey employees volunteered their time to assist with food distribution at one of Fulfill’s “Pop the Trunk” drive-through events, loading cars with fresh food, shelf-stable items and other essentials. The volunteer efforts and donation were part of Bank of America’s broader commitment to community engagement.

“This past year, we saw that the number of Monmouth and Ocean County residents facing hunger continued to climb, with more than 100,000 monthly visitors at local food pantries,” said Stampas. “The need is urgent, and the partnership between Bank of America and Fulfill reflects a shared commitment to fighting food insecurity and building stronger communities. This generous donation, coupled with Bank of America’s volunteer efforts, are making a difference in our region.”

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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N.J. receives over $22B in federal funds in FY2024; 56% increase from pre-pandemic levels

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New Jersey secured an estimated $22.155 billion in federal revenue in FY2024. That’s according to a first-of-its-kind report released by the state’s Grants Management Office (GMO) which cited 609 state-administered programs received federal revenue on a state fiscal year basis.

Federal funds for FY2024 awarded to New Jersey were down slightly from the prior year due to the expiration of some COVID funding programs, however the state still secured an estimated $22.155 billion in federal revenue for the year – which is 56 percent higher than in FY2019, the last fiscal year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Securing this federal funding is critical to boosting programs that make New Jersey a stronger, fairer, and safer place to live—and Treasury’s Grants Management Office has furthered that mission since it was established in 2022. My Administration will continue to pursue opportunities for federal funding for crucial programs that provide children with free meals, make health care affordable, and prevent violence in our communities,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“By actively seeking and securing valuable grant opportunities, we are ensuring critical State programs have the resources they need to support New Jerseyans and fulfill their missions,” State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio said. “I’d like to thank the Grants Management Office for their work in compiling this report, which gives the State a better understanding of federal funding levels and will guide our future revenue pursuits.”

Medicaid was the largest program supported by federal funds, accounting for $13.913 billion. Other programs which received federal funding included school breakfast and lunch programs, preschool support, violence prevention services, water and land conservation initiatives, and cancer prevention programs, among others.

Grants Management Office assists in reducing and removing barriers to federal grant funding through identifying grant opportunities, advocacy, and coordination among federal grant applicants across the state.

The GMO’s full report is available by clicking here. 



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Bramnick Calls for more Debates

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Republican Gubernatorial candidate State Senator Jon Bramnick today called for additional debates. He released the following statement:

“The first Republican debate was a food fight. Anyone who tuned in to hear about solutions, instead watched petty bickering between my opponents. Republican voters want to know what their Gubernatorial candidate will do to address the problems facing our state and how they will win in November.

With so many issues to discuss I am proposing three more televised or streamed debates, organized, and hosted by a neutral third party before April 19th when vote-by-mail ballots are sent.”

The three additional debates would be in addition to the two Election Law Enforcement Commission sanctioned debates which will likely occur while voters are casting their mail-in ballots. By law, the ELEC sanctioned debates may only be scheduled between April 10th and May 30th.

 

 

 

 

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