From Rivalry to Resemblance: Farabee's Calgary Transformation
Before his trade from Philadelphia to Calgary, Joel Farabee didn't have many complimentary words for Blake Coleman. As opponents, their relationship was defined by competitive tension. Now, as teammates with the Calgary Flames, that dynamic has undergone a remarkable transformation.
A Comparison That's Become a Compliment
Since arriving at the Saddledome and establishing himself as one of the Flames' most consistent forwards this season, Farabee has earned an intriguing nickname: Blake Coleman Lite. For a player who prides himself on reliable two-way play, combining sandpaper grit with secondary scoring ability, this comparison represents high praise rather than criticism.
"It's so funny because before I got traded to Calgary, Colesy was one of my most disliked guys to play against," Farabee revealed to Postmedia prior to the Olympic break. "And I think it's just because of how good he is."
The Versatility Blueprint
Farabee has come to appreciate the very qualities that once frustrated him as an opponent. Coleman's remarkable versatility—his ability to play anywhere in the lineup, contribute on both power play and penalty kill units, and adapt to any role from first line to fourth—has become something Farabee now aspires to emulate.
"He can really do it all and I think I would agree that I try to resemble that, at least to a certain degree," Farabee acknowledged. "There are obviously differences in our game, but I think we do have similarities and try to play the game a similar way, and that's hard work first."
The 25-year-old forward elaborated on their shared approach: "I'd say neither of us have the elite, elite skill. But we work hard and I think that's what creates a lot of chances for us."
Timely Parallels as Changes Loom
This comparison carries particular significance as Coleman's tenure in Calgary appears to be approaching its conclusion. The 34-year-old winger, currently sidelined with an injury that has kept him out of the past dozen games, represents a prime trade candidate as the NHL deadline approaches.
The Flames are already getting an extended look at life without their shutdown-line staple, and in Farabee, they may have discovered a player capable of providing many similar attributes. This isn't to suggest Coleman wouldn't be missed if traded to a contender, but rather that Calgary might already have a natural successor developing within their ranks.
Proving His Worth in Key Situations
During Coleman's injury absence, Farabee has stepped into his usual spot on Calgary's first penalty-kill unit with impressive results. He's currently tied for the league lead with four short-handed goals, demonstrating his growing effectiveness in critical defensive situations.
Flames head coach Ryan Huska didn't hesitate when asked about the validity of the Coleman-Farabee comparison. "Blake is kind of a guy that does everything for us," Huska explained. "On the ice, he's an emotional leader. Off the ice, an all-round good guy that people want to be around. And Joel has a lot of those same characteristics."
More Than Just On-Ice Similarities
The parallels extend beyond statistical production or positional versatility. Both players embody a work-ethic-first mentality that coaches value and teammates respect. Farabee's evolution from viewing Coleman as a disliked opponent to embracing comparisons as a teammate speaks volumes about his professional growth and adaptability.
As the Flames navigate potential roster changes and look toward their future, Farabee's development into a Blake Coleman Lite represents not just an interesting storyline, but potentially significant organizational depth. His ability to absorb lessons from a veteran he once competed against demonstrates the kind of maturity that often separates promising players from established contributors.
